GRIEF Act Introduced in Congress

The GRIEF Act is a proposed amendment to the Public Health Service Act to improve access to bereavement services for grieving Americans.

The Grief Resilience Investment and Education Fund, or GRIEF Act, was recently introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Joe Morelle (NY-25). The legislation aims to expand national funding for grief counseling and bereavement programs. If passed, $250 million in funds and grants would ensure that Americans could better access the help they need after losing a loved one.

Most hospice organizations provided grief support only online during the pandemic.

The recent push for federal funding grew out of lack of support available to a majority of bereaved families during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many grief service providers were unable to offer in-person assistance. Access to online grief support was limited. And Black and Latino communities hit hardest by the pandemic often do not have reliable internet service.

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services requires hospice providers to offer bereavement care to their patients’ families for 13 months after death. These services are generally not reimbursed. If passed, the GRIEF Act would supply grants to hospice providers, nonprofits, and other health care providers.  This would ensure they have resources to offer a variety of bereavement services to patient families. The grants would further benefit communities in need, regardless of whether their loved one received hospice care.

Congressman Morelle, sponsor of the GRIEF Act, shared his hopes for this bill with Hospice News: “Establishing a National Grief Strategy will help people move forward with the help of skilled professionals creating a culture of awareness and support. It is my hope that this legislation helps end the stigma around mental health and ensure families can access the essential support they deserve,” Morelle explained.

GRIEF Act funding could improve bereavement programs and support throughout the U.S.

Sometimes grief can be complicated, anticipatory, or more intense for some people. This can be especially true during a pandemic. GRIEF Act funds would also cover additional training for chaplains, social workers, and counselors to meet these challenges. These funds would foster the development of evidence-based interventions, culturally appropriate programs, and peer-support initiatives.

According to The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, the GRIEF Act would also require the National Institutes of Health to study the impact of prolonged grief resulting from the pandemic. NIH would also conduct a national public information campaign designed to improve bereavement literacy and raise awareness of available care. NHPCO is working in collaboration with American Psychological Association, the Hospice Foundation of America, and the Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network  to gain Congressional support for this bill.

You can read the bill in its entirety here. If you would like to voice your support, visit the Hospice Action Network to send a letter to your local Congress person.