Joel Cantor
Joel C. Cantor is the director of the Center for State Health Policy and professor of public policy at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. He has authored numerous studies of health insurance regulatory policy, health care delivery system performance, and access to care for low-income and minority populations. He serves frequently as an advisor on health policy matters to New Jersey state government, and in 2006 was awarded the Rutgers University President’s Award for Research in Service to New Jersey. Cantor and his colleagues at the Center are currently working with the Office of the Governor and state agencies to support decisions about New Jersey’s implementation of health reform under the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. He served as a member of the New Jersey Commission on Rationalizing New Jersey’s Health Care Resources in 2007 which led to significant reforms in hospital regulation and financing, and he chaired the New Jersey Mandated Health Benefit Advisory Commission between 2004 to 2009. Cantor received his doctorate in health policy and management from Johns Hopkins University.
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
