Requires residential health care facilities to maintain hospice agreements to ensure access to hospice services for eligible residents.
Impact
The bill amends Section 2808 of the public health law, introducing a new subdivision that specifies requirements for hospice agreements. It emphasizes the necessity of timely evaluations and referrals, defined roles, and effective communication strategies between healthcare providers and hospice teams. By enforcing these agreements, the bill seeks to bolster the continuity of care and improve quality of life for residents, thereby addressing a vital aspect of public health regarding end-of-life considerations.
Summary
Bill S09620 mandates that residential health care facilities in New York must establish and maintain written agreements with licensed hospice programs to ensure access to hospice services for eligible residents who elect the hospice benefit. This initiative is a significant move towards enhancing palliative care for individuals in residential health facilities, particularly as they approach end-of-life stages. The agreements will require proper coordination between the facility staff and hospice personnel to effectively manage the care process, ensuring that residents receive comprehensive support during critical times.
Contention
While the bill aims to provide greater access to essential hospice services, there are potential areas of discussion regarding the implementation. Stakeholders may raise questions about the adequacy of resources available to residential facilities for these additional requirements, as well as concerns about compliance and enforcement. There may also be debates on how newly established protocols will be monitored and supported by health authorities, particularly in ensuring that residents' rights and choices around hospice care are respected.
Relates to information that residential health care facilities are required to separately disclose to residents and their families; requires such information to be posted on the residential health care facility's website.
Relates to information that residential health care facilities are required to separately disclose to residents and their families; requires such information to be posted on the residential health care facility's website.
Ensures that publicly-sponsored residential health care facilities and facilities that receive grants under the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation program are not subject to outdated total project cost caps or excessive project equity requirements.
Ensures that publicly-sponsored residential health care facilities and facilities that receive grants under the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation program are not subject to outdated total project cost caps or excessive project equity requirements.
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.
Requires providers of residential services to developmentally disabled children to have electronic monitoring devices in the common areas of their residential facilities.