WiAHC has formally agreed to support Assembly Bill 23 and Senate Bill 39, companion bills that would create a state Palliative Care Council to advise the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and create a palliative care consumer and professional information and education program.  The lead author of Assembly Bill 23 is State Representative Patrick Snyder (R-Wausau) and the lead author of Senate Bill 39 is state Senator Jesse James (R-Thorp).  The primary intent of this legislation is to improve awareness of and access to palliative care, as there are not enough health care providers who specialize in palliative care in Wisconsin.  Furthermore, there is a shortage of information on palliative care for practicing health care providers, patients, and their loved ones.