§ 1621d. Hospice care feasibility study
(a)
Duty of Secretary
The Secretary, acting through the Service and in consultation with representatives of Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Indian Health Service personnel, and hospice providers, shall conduct a study—
(b)
Functions of study
Such study shall—
(1)
assess the impact of Indian culture and beliefs concerning death and dying on the provision of hospice care to Indians;
(2)
estimate the number of Indians for whom hospice care may be appropriate and determine the geographic distribution of such individuals;
(3)
determine the most appropriate means to facilitate the participation of Indian tribes and tribal organizations in providing hospice care;
(c)
Report to Congress
Not later than the date which is 12 months after October 29, 1992, the Secretary shall transmit to the Congress a report containing—
(d)
Definitions
For the purposes of this section—
(1)
the term “terminally ill” means any Indian who has a medical prognosis (as certified by a physician) of a life expectancy of six months or less; and