Compassion & Choices took part in 2024’s Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) in Washington, D.C. The ALC is a policy conference dedicated to addressing key issues affecting African Americans and the global Black community. In its 53th year, this event provided space for thought leaders, lawmakers, influencers, and engaged citizens to come together and tackle pressing concerns, build partnerships, and advocate for political, economic, and social progress.
Nine members of the Compassion & Choices African American Leadership Council (AALC) engaged with legislators, healthcare leaders, and other decision-makers to discuss the need for heightened awareness around end-of-life care. The team attended conference sessions, issue-based forums, and networking events aimed at advancing health equity. Being present in this way allows Compassion & Choices to expand its reach and strengthen relationships with key leaders and policymakers.
AALC member Bobbie Alexander said, “I am deeply honored to be a member of this council and to have the privilege of attending the 2023 and 2024 CBC Annual Legislative Conferences. It was truly invaluable to be in community with AALC members who advocate for end-of-life planning, while also sharing space with such an inspiring representation of Black excellence.”
While gathered in the nation’s capital, several council members participated in Starks Films’ Black Barbers Doc podcast series. They discussed how valuable the conference was for connecting with communities as well as the importance of making informed end-of-life care decisions, having conversations about death and dying, advance care planning, and understanding the impact of healthcare inequities at the end of life.
By maintaining such a strong presence at the conference and attending multiple events, AALC members gained insights that will guide future empowerment and engagement efforts. The AALC looks forward to using these insights for strategic planning that will strengthen our advocacy for equitable end-of-life opportunities.
Compassion & Choices is supporting several federal bills that would improve end-of-life care and autonomy for everyone. By developing resources, providing educational materials, and fostering relationships with members of Congress, we can effectively advocate for legislation that will support end-of-life choices and empower individuals to make personal decisions about their final days.
One such bill that Compassion & Choices supports is HR 8137, also known as the Patient Access to End-of-Life Care Act. Passage would exempt states and jurisdictions that have authorized medical aid in dying (currently and in the future) from the provisions of the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 (ASFRA). Currently, ASFRA prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for medical aid in dying for mentally capable, terminally ill adults. HR 8137 would pave the way for patients in authorized states to receive medical aid in dying services at federally funded facilities. In addition, the bill would allow Medicare, Medicaid, and military and federal employee health care plans in authorized states to cover medical aid in dying, including clinician visits to determine eligibility and the medication itself.
Compassion & Choices partners with the Latinx Task Force, a national initiative, to address the health disparities and inequities experienced by Latinx communities. The Latinx Task Force shares Compassion & Choices' bilingual resources on its website and through its newsletter to help people access information and support to plan for care during a medical emergency or at the end of life.
During Hispanic Heritage month last fall, Compassion & Choices co-hosted in-person and virtual events with Latinx Task Force and Face to Face, a Latino-focused organization serving families impacted by dementia. The events, which were provided in Spanish, addressed caregiving, dementia, and end-of-life planning for Latinos.
In January, we collaborated on a webinar addressing health equity and disparities at the end of life. This spring, we look forward to co-hosting another virtual event for National Healthcare Decisions Day (April 16) and an in-person workshop in May.
Strategic partnerships with groups like the Latinx Task Force enable Compassion & Choices to help more communities make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Compassion & Choices reaches more people with vital end-of-life information and healthcare resources by participating in and sponsoring events with Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities.
In November, Compassion & Choices connected with Filipino-American clinicians as an event sponsor of the Philippine Nurses Association of America’s (PNAA) South Central Regional Conference in Houston, Texas. The PNAA provides its 5,000+ national members with mentorship, leadership development opportunities, and educational programming.
Last September, Compassion & Choices attended and sponsored the 2024 AANHPI Unity Summit in Washington, D.C. This annual event, hosted by the Asian American Unity Coalition, aims to foster civic engagement, strengthen advocacy skills, and offer AANHPI leaders a platform to voice concerns. In 2024, the summit addressed pressing issues that impact AANHPI communities, such as racial discrimination and immigration, and gave attendees the opportunity to engage in advocacy with their elected officials.
Compassion & Choices also continues to reach and engage with communities through the arts. In October, we participated in and sponsored the Big Island Art and Science Summit in Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i, an event designed to stimulate a thriving arts economy and foster artistic exchange across the Pacific Islands. With more than 1,000 attendees, the summit featured music, dance, Pacific and Native Hawaiian cultural presentations, art installations, an art market with local vendors, breakout discussions, hands-on workshops, and other activities.
Compassion & Choices Chief Engagement Officer Brandi Alexander delivered an opening keynote address, following introductions by Hawai‘i state Senator Tim Richards and Representative Nicole Lowen and Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth. Compassion & Choices had a table display to share free materials related to healthcare decision-making and end-of-life care. It was a beautiful day of education, creativity, and cultural celebration that served to deepen our ties with community members in Hawai‘i.
Bishop Kevin E. Taylor, a faith leader in Newark, New Jersey, provides a crucial perspective to Compassion & Choices Faith Leaders for Compassion and LGBTQ+ Leadership Council. An advocate for improving end-of-life care for all communities, last October Bishop Taylor was elevated to the role of a bishop during a ceremony in Riverside, California. Compassion & Choices was there to celebrate and provide resources to congregants. Over 200 people attended his convocation, which honored his work and commitment to fostering conversations, information, and resources to support the LGBTQ+ community’s end-of-life needs and concerns. We also hosted an end-of-life planning and care conversation for approximately 50 participants from his congregation. Bishop Taylor is planning a series of conversations in 2025 entitled New Year of No Fear: Conversations About Death, Dying, Choices, and Getting Your House in Order!
Compassion & Choices continues to work with the LGBTQ+ community by offering tailored resources and being present at events, virtually and in person. Last October, Compassion & Choices participated in a month-long event staged by the Collective for Radical Death Studies that culminated in a virtual event about end-of-life planning in the LGBTQ+ community. We also added the LGBTQ+ Advance Care Planning toolkit, created in partnership with SAGE, to the curriculum at University of Florida College of Medicine. Compassion & Choices staff and supporters continued to participate in Pride events across the country from Seattle to Georgia throughout the fall, including Global Black Pride in Atlanta, Georgia. We also sponsored and participated in the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association’s annual conference in Charleston, South Carolina, providing a talk on advance care planning to clinicians.
Mail contributions directly to:
Compassion & Choices Gift Processing Center
PO Box 485
Etna, NH 03750
Compassion & Choices is a 501 C3 organization. Federal tax number: 84-1328829
