MHVP Fact Sheet

What is the Massachusetts Hospice-Veteran Partnership (MHVP)?

Established in January, 2004, MHVP is a coalition of VA facilities, community hospice programs, other veteran services and community organizations working together to ensure that excellent care at the end of life is available for U.S. veterans and their families.

HVP is a national program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospice and Palliative Care Initiative.

• Honoring veterans' preferences at the end of life
• Improving veterans' access to hospice and palliative care across all sites and levels of care
• Strengthening the relationship between community hospice agencies and VA facilities
• Providing information to veterans about hospice and other end-of-life options

What is the purpose of MHVP?

The purpose of MHVP is to provide leadership, technical assistance and program development recommendations aimed at:

• Improving veterans' access to hospice and palliative care across all sites and levels of care so that the veteran is able to receive hospice care at the time and place of need

• Strengthening the relationship between community hospice agencies and VA facilities

• Providing information to veterans about hospice and other end-of-life options

Why is the VA partnering with community hospice programs?

Although improving end of life care is a priority of the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are many veterans who are not receiving their care within the VA health care system. About 75 percent of health care is provided to veterans outside the VA health care system by providers in the community.It is important that all health care providers understand the complex needs of veterans at the end of life.

Why are the needs of veterans at end of life different from any one else?

As human beings, we share some common experiences as death approaches.However, veterans may have even more complex needs, especially combat soldiers and POWs who have faced the grim realities of death in a very dramatic way.Veterans may also be coping with unresolved grief or survivor guilt having witnessed traumatic deaths and injuries that may color how they come to terms with their own death.

• What kinds of activities can be expected from the MHVP?Mutual education and training programs
• Outreach to veterans with information about hospice care and other end-of-life services
• Identification of barriers to access to hospice and other services

How can I find out more about MHVP?

For more information, contact:

Christine McMichael, HPCFM Executive Director
Tel: 781-255-7077
E-mail:cmcmichael@hospicefed.org