Horizon Hospice, Chicago’s first hospice, is a not-for-profit, community-based organization whose goal is to provide comfort for the dying and to preserve dignity at the end of life. As Chicago’s first hospice, established in 1978, Horizon not only cares for over 600 patients and their families each year, but also educates health care professionals and informs the general public about the importance of good, comprehensive care at the end of life. This presentation is part of that continuing effort, raising issues such as: PHYSICIAN ATTITUDES -- Doctors are usually involved at some point when people die. Many have become educated and proficient in the technical aspects of treating dying patients, but do not necessarily treat the spiritual, emotional or social needs. Should they? What should we expect from our physicians? GOVERNMENT LIMITATIONS – Our healthcare insurance system ‘s reimbursement for counseling, supportive services and personal care services at the end of life is undervalued. Would we be better served by a system where more emphasis (and money) is placed upon these services? SOCIETAL TRENDS – America is primarily a death-denying culture – from family members and community, through physicians and the healthcare system. The book Will the Circle be Unbroken? breaches the taboo. What is the value of such discussions about death? HEROIC DEATH – Is the concept of a "heroic death" in war or as brought to our attention on September 11th by the firefighters, police officers, etc., overly valued? Shouldn’t death, regardless of scenario, be humbly observed but not glorified? CULTURE – Different cultures view death very differently. Your book portrays death viewed from many cultures and perspectives. Do you see any commonality in how human beings think about the meaning of death? GOOD VS. BAD – What is a "good death"? For more information on Horizon Hospice, call 312-733-2233.