Palliative Care Program Inventory Has Launched
The Center to Advance Palliative Care launched a national registry to track and improve access to specialty medical support.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Financial Planning
Live Poll
Do you trust that your local community offers sufficient access to specialty palliative care?
The Center to Advance Palliative Care has launched the Palliative Care Program Inventory to document the availability of specialty services across the United States. This national initiative maps care delivery models in hospitals, clinics, and home-based settings to address existing gaps in access.
Why it matters
Currently, no comprehensive national database exists to show where specialty palliative care is available. By consolidating this data, researchers and policymakers hope to strengthen advocacy efforts and expand access to care for patients nationwide.
The inventory collects operational metrics for the 2025 calendar year, including staffing, patient volume, and care delivery models. Participation is free for all United States specialty palliative care programs.
The players
Center to Advance Palliative Care
This national organization works to increase the availability of quality palliative care services for people living with serious illnesses.
The McElhattan Foundation
This charitable organization provided financial support for the launch of the new palliative care initiative.
The John A. Hartford Foundation
This philanthropy focuses on improving the care of older adults and supported the creation of the program inventory.
The details
The initiative gathers information from hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities to create a clearer picture of healthcare infrastructure. While the program does not collect patient-level data or protected health information, participating facilities can opt to be listed in a public directory at GetPalliativeCare.org.
Timeline
The Center to Advance Palliative Care was established in 1999.
Program operations data is being collected for the 2025 calendar year.
The Palliative Care Program Inventory was launched on October 14, 2026.
Market Dynamics
This initiative reflects a broader push toward transparency and standardized data collection within the healthcare sector. By mapping infrastructure, the program aligns with industry trends aimed at optimizing resource allocation and identifying service deserts.
For patients and families, this registry will eventually simplify the search for local specialty palliative care services. Greater transparency in program availability allows individuals to better plan for long-term health needs and identify accessible regional facilities.
The takeaway
This new registry provides a critical tool for mapping the landscape of specialty care across the country. Families should utilize the public directory in the future to identify verified care options when navigating serious health challenges.
Further reading
For broader context on how medical costs and services affect long-term planning, see the Financial Planning section.
More information
To review the initiative or learn about participation, visit the specialty palliative care program participation portal.
Live Poll
Do you trust that your local community offers sufficient access to specialty palliative care?
