Directs the commissioner of health to create cultural education demonstration programs for HIV/AIDS health care providers

3 Co-sponsors

• Adriano Espaillat
• Jose Rivera
• Ellen C. Jaffee

10 Multi-sponsors

• Thomas Alfano
• Carmen E. Arroyo
• Jeffrion Aubry
• Robert Barra
• Barbara Clark
• Vivian Cook
• Vito Lopez
• Felix Ortiz
• Crystal Peoples-Stokes
• Darryl Towns

BILL NUMBER:A5145A

Title of bill

An act to direct the commissioner of health to create cultural education demonstration programs for HIV/AIDS health care providers

Purpose or general idea of bill

This legislation authorizes the Commissioner of Health to prepare demonstration programs for health care providers in order to educate them in the care of those with HIV/AIDS according to the tradition of their culture.

Summary of specific provisions

This bill authorizes the commissioner of health to promulgate regulations necessary to create the education demonstration program. The department would provide a report to the legislature on the results of the demonstration programs with recommen- dations for other and permanent culturally-based HIV/AIDS education programs.

Justification

The escalating caseloads of HIV/AIDS patients throughout the City of New York is creating a significant challenge to all entities of government to respond with the most sensitive and appropriate formu- lation of policy. The ravages of the disease take its toll on society, the clients, the families and resources. Illness and its treatment, death and dying are experienced from very personal and cultural points of view. Many groups have come forward to express a need for health care, especially in the home which takes these factors into account. Both the Puerto Rican/Latino community and the Asian community are expe- riencing a devastating increase in AIDS cases. Each community has a specific and cultural orientation to health and disease. The cultural component has been shown to either diminish or accelerate the compliance with treatment regimens. For this reason, these groups stand to experi- ence immediate benefit from this legislation which would allow for the creation of programs which would encourage active participation in treatment and increase the effectiveness of the treatment and the comfort level of the patient.

Legislative history

1993-1994- S.8049 1995-1996- S.1954A 1997-1998- S.6140, A.9180 - Health Committee 1999-2000- S.7142, A.3686 - Health Committee 2001-2002- A.7703 - Ways & Means 2003-2004- A.6015 - Passed Assembly 2005-2006- A.4741 - Ways & Means 2007-2008- A.6737 - Died in Ways & Means

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

Unknown.

Effective date

This act shall take effect one year after its enactment.