Establishes the hospice and palliative care workgroup
Impact
The establishment of the workgroup will enable a thorough examination of current hospice and palliative care provisions, pain management services, and geriatric-related healthcare in New York. Key focuses will include identifying areas lacking in service provision, barriers affecting the utilization of care, and the financial implications of expanding these services. Its findings intend to inform state policy to enhance the quality and delivery of care across various geographic regions, particularly where significant gaps are identified.
Summary
Bill A10794 proposes the establishment of a hospice and palliative care workgroup within the New York State Department of Health. The purpose of this workgroup is to study and provide recommendations on the status, effectiveness, and accessibility of hospice and palliative care services across the state. This bill aims to address existing gaps in service and improve the quality of care received by patients with terminal illnesses. It acknowledges the need for a coordinated response to the challenges faced by patients and providers in the palliative care spectrum.
Contention
While the bill overall advocates for better service provision, potential points of contention may arise regarding the methods of implementation and funding for the proposed recommendations. There might be discussions about whether the workgroup's findings will adequately translate into actionable policies that can be effectively monitored and evaluated. Additionally, the bill allows for its provisions to expire after five years unless further action is taken, which could lead to debates around the sustainability of improvements made during the initial period of activity.
Establishes the office of hospice and palliative care access and quality to provide expertise and input on hospice and palliative care policy development and regulation.
Amends policies and procedures to improve access to palliative care and hospice services; directs implementation of hospice-palliative care health system demonstration projects.
Amends policies and procedures to improve access to palliative care and hospice services; directs implementation of hospice-palliative care health system demonstration projects.
Enacts the "pediatric palliative care act" to establish pediatric palliative care centers to provide palliative care to individuals who are under twenty-one years of age, have been diagnosed with a chronic, complex, life-threatening illness that is expected to shorten their life expectancy, and is not expected to survive past twenty-one years of age.
Establishes the hospice workforce stabilization and innovation program; grants for staff retention incentives, continuing education, professional certification including board certification in hospice and palliative care, workforce wellness initiatives, and other workforce support activities approved by the department; creates grants for establishing regional hospice workforce pipeline programs.
Enacts the "pediatric palliative care act" to establish pediatric palliative care centers to provide palliative care to individuals who are under twenty-one years of age, have been diagnosed with a chronic, complex, life-threatening illness that is expected to shorten their life expectancy, and is not expected to survive past twenty-one years of age.