Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline demonstrates his commitment to serve and protect consumer rights for Kansans nearing the end of life
Click for Press Release (in PDF) issued 5/29/03, or call the LIFE Project office at (316) 263-6380 for a copy of the press release and/or photo (right).
(Wichita,
Kansas, May 29, 2003) -- On May 15-17, Kansas Attorney General Phill
Kline and Donna Bales, President and CEO of the Kansas LIFE Project,
Living Initiatives For End-of-Life Care, demonstrated Kansas' continuing
commitment to help all Kansans live with dignity, comfort and peace as
they near the end of life. The two attended the National Association of
Attorneys General (NAAG) third and final national listening conference
focused on improving end-of-life care. Hosted by NAAG president,
Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, the conference provided a panel
of attorneys general, key staff people, and an invited audience of more
than 125 people with the opportunity to hear noted authorities address
a range of care issues involving policy, patient care, pain management,
and best practices.
In Kansas, over 100 agencies, organizations, associations, and communities
are working together as the Kansas LIFE Project, to address and respond
to the needs of Kansans nearing the end of life. "For Kansans to truly
be able to live with dignity, comfort and peace as they near the end of
their lives," says Bales, "they need to understand their choices in care,
share those choices with those who care for and about them, and have their
choices honored." This is not always the case. "Too many Kansans are living
in pain and with other symptoms, don't understand the medical choices
they have and are not helped to live their lives in ways they prefer."
Panelists at the meeting stressed the important roles that AGs play
in influencing public policy and helping educate the public about quality
care. Issues of advance care planning, management of pain and other
symptoms of illness and consumer protection are some of the areas where
AGs can work to improve care. Drew Edmondson encouraged AGs to work
strategically to address these needs and to protect these vulnerable citizens.
The conference was part of NAAG's ongoing presidential initiative focused
on eliminating real and perceived legal barriers to quality care, educating
the public in planning for their own care needs, and working in partnership
with others to assure that the rights of patients and families are met.
"LIFE Project Partners are delighted," says Bales, "that Kansas Attorney
General Phill Kline invested time and energy to understand these issues
and pledges to support Kansans by working with the LIFE Project and others
to do everything possible to assure citizens that their needs will continue
to be honored and met as they near the end of life. Kansans are fortunate,
indeed, to have an Attorney General with such vision."
(L
to R) Myra
Christopher, Midwest Bioethics Center;
Donna Bales, Kansas LIFE Project; Jack Schwartz,
Assistant Attorney General, Maryland; Phill Kline, Kansas Attorney
General; Linda Edmondson, Oklahoma Alliance for Better Care of
the Dying; Drew
Edmondson, Oklahoma Attorney General and President of the National
Association of Attorneys General, on 5/16/03 in Baltimore, MD, at the
third of three listening conferences hosted by Attorney General Edmondson
as a part of his Presidential Initiative to focus on end-of-life issues.
Visit the Moyers "On Our Own Terms" website.
LIFE Project
1901
University - Wichita,
Kansas 67213-3325
316.263.6380
316.263.6542
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(tollfree) 888-202-5433
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