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Senate committee advances bill to recognize hospice and palliative care day
Summary
The Senate Committee on Administration reported SB 644, a bill recognizing hospice and palliative care, to the full Senate and recommended it for the committee calendar after sponsors emphasized the distinction between hospice and palliative care and recalled emotional testimony from prior hearings.
The Senate Committee on Administration on Tuesday voted to report Senate Bill 644 to the full Senate, advancing a measure that would recognize hospice and palliative care with a formal commemorative day.
Senator Johnson, the Senate sponsor, described the bill as a renewal of a measure previously passed by the chamber and vetoed in an earlier session. He explained that hospice and palliative care are “two distinct kinds of medical care offered to patients and families, when they’re nearing end of life,” and said both “result in better medical outcome and better care for families.” The senator asked the committee to consider Texas joining other places that recognize the forms of care.
Senator Johnson also noted that during the prior session the committee heard “some just really, emotionally stirring testimony” from health‑care providers about the topic. Public testimony during the current hearing was opened and then closed without speakers. The committee recorded a favorable vote and recommended SB 644 for placement on the local and contested calendar for May 14, 2025.
Why it matters: proponents in the hearing said the designated observance would raise awareness of hospice and palliative services that supporters say improve care for patients with life‑threatening conditions and support families. The measure does not, in committee remarks, change clinical standards or funding; sponsors framed it as recognition and outreach.
Next steps: the committee reported SB 644 favorably to the full Senate with a recorded unanimous committee roll call and recommended the bill for the local and contested calendar for May 14, 2025.
