What's happening
This bill requires a state study on whether mandating specific lymphology training for therapists improves lymphedema treatment outcomes and reduces costs.
Why it matters
Could impact quality of care. The study will directly assess if therapists with specialized lymphology training deliver better treatment and health outcomes for lymphedema patients, which could set a precedent for requiring higher standards in other areas of medical therapy.
Potential for cost savings. By analyzing whether such training reduces overall medical costs (e.g., by lowering complications, hospitalizations, or ineffective treatments), the study could influence future healthcare spending and insurance coverage decisions.
Policy and professional standards. Depending on the findings, the study could lead to changes in licensing or continuing education requirements for therapists, potentially affecting workforce qualifications and access to care.
Short timeline for action. The mandated six-month turnaround for the study means that recommendations and potential legislative or regulatory changes could be considered and implemented relatively quickly, accelerating any impact on patients and providers.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study Lymphedema Therapist Training
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2288
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 12, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing the lymphology study and requiring the department of health to study the effects of certain training criteria established by the Lymphology Association of North America
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new article 27-L to read as follows:
ARTICLE 27-L
LYMPHOLOGY STUDY Section 2799-t. Lymphology study.
§ 2799-t. Lymphology study. 1. The lymphology study shall examine the effects of requiring all therapists in this state treating patients inflicted with lymphedema to meet the training criteria established by the Lymphology Association of North America, and specifically examine whether such criteria would improve treatments, patient outcomes and/or lower overall medical costs.
2. The department shall have the central responsibility for administering the provisions of this article and otherwise coordinating the state's policies with respect to the results of this study.
3. The study shall commence no later than thirty days from the effective date of this article and the results of such study shall be provided to the governor and the legislature no later than six months from the beginning of such study.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06667-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing the lymphology study and requiring the department of health to study the effects of certain training criteria established by the Lymphology Association of North America
Purpose of bill
This bill requires that the lymphology study examine the effects of requiring all therapists in this state treating patients inflicted with lymphedema to meet the training criteria established by the Lymphology Association of North America, and specifically examine whether such criteria would improve treatments, patient outcomes and/or lower overall medical costs.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of this bill amends the public health law article setting forth the lymphology study.
This bill establishes that the department of health with the responsibility of administering the provisions of this article and otherwise coordinating the state's policies with respect to the results of the study.
Section 2 sets forth the effective date, as well as when the results are submitted to the governor and legislature.
Justification
Lymphedema is a chronic, progressive disease caused by any reduction in the capacity of the lymphatic system to transport lymph and drain the fluid out of the interstitial space back into the circulatory system. The term "edema" refers to the accumulation of an excessive amount of fluid in tissue or organs resulting in swelling. The two major types of lymphedema (a rare inherited condition) and secondary lymphedema which is caused by a blockage or interruption of the normal fluid through the lymphatic system. Currently there is no general consensus among doctors regarding a uniform standard of care for the treatment of lymphedema which is why this bill is so important. Physicians and medical staff who practice in fields where this disease is uncommon may fail to correctly diagnose the condition due to the apparent lack of information regarding this disease. Mandatory training by the Lymphology Association of North America will have an immediate impact on those inflicted with the disease.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.1935 - Referred to Health 2013-14: S.2770 - Referred to Health 2011-12: S.1173/A.454 - Referred to Health 2010: S.5625 Referred to Health A.10132 Referred to Health
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.