Requires clinical education in pain management and palliative care

2 Co-sponsors

• William J. Larkin Jr.
• George Latimer

BILL NUMBER:S2947

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to clinical education in pain management and palliative care

Purpose

This bill requires that all health care practitioners complete course work or training regarding pain management and palliative care.

Summary of provisions

Section one adds a new Article 28-F to the Public Health Law. This arti- cle requires every health care professional practicing in the state to complete course work or training regarding pain management and pallia- tive care appropriate to their practice every four years. The Depart- ment of Health must provide exemptions from this requirement for those whom demonstrate that they have completed equivalent training, or that there is no need for such in their specialty.

Section two provides that the act take effect one year subsequent to its enactment; provided necessary regulatory changes may be done immediately in order to implement the Article.

Justification

Many patients suffer needlessly from debilitating pain and other symptoms caused by the inadequate treatment of pain or other symptoms which could be controlled. Many health care professionals are unaware of the resources available to their patients to relieve chronic and acute pain. Some are unwilling to use those resources because they fear that they will be wrongly subjected to prosecution or professional discipline. In addition, training in pain management will assist in curbing the prescription drug crisis the state currently faces by educating practitioners on proper practices. This bill will ensure that health care practitioners stay current on pain management and palliative care techniques, and not over or under prescribing pain medications.

Legislative history

2012: S.7329 - died in Health.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date is authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.