What's happening
The bill updates the definition of palliative care in New York law to include life-limiting conditions and illnesses, not just advanced and progressive diseases.
Why it matters
Broadens Who Can Access Palliative Care. By updating the definition to include "life-limiting conditions and illnesses," the bill allows more patients—not just those with advanced, progressive diseases—to qualify for palliative care, potentially granting earlier access to supportive services.
Supports Families as Well as Patients. The expanded definition explicitly maintains the focus on both patient and family needs, acknowledging the broader impact of serious illness and the importance of holistic care.
May Improve Quality of Life and Care Coordination. With a wider eligibility, more people may receive interdisciplinary care focused on symptom relief and psychosocial support, possibly reducing unnecessary hospitalizations and improving overall quality of life.
Potentially Reduces Barriers for Providers. The bill clarifies that any authorized health care provider—not just hospices—can offer palliative care, which may foster more integration of these services across health care settings.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Update Palliative Care Definition
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Signed chap.494
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–0
- 3rd reading cal.540
- Substituted for S4582
- Referred to health
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Advanced to third reading cal.53
- Reported
- Reported referred to codes
Show 1 earlier action
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Update Palliative Care Definition
Senate Floor Calendar · Sponsor James Sanders Jr.
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1078
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 14, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. GOTTFRIED, D'URSO, SEAWRIGHT, LUPARDO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to the definition of palliative care
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 4012-b of the public health law, as added by chapter 195 of the laws of 2002, is amended to read as follows:
§ 4012-b. Hospice palliative care [program for persons with advanced and progressive disease]. 1. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of this article to the contrary, a hospice may also offer a program of palliative care for patients with advanced [and progressive disease] life-limiting conditions and illnesses and their families. Such a program may be provided by a hospice issued a certificate of approval pursuant to section [forty hundred] four thousand four of this article, acting alone or under contract with a certified home health agency, long term home health care program, licensed home care services agency or AIDS home care program, as such terms are defined in section thirty-six hundred two of this chapter. Nothing in this section shall preclude the provision of palliative care by any other health care provider otherwise authorized to provide such services.
2. For the purposes of this section [the following terms shall mean:
(a) "Advanced and progressive disease" means a medical condition which is irreversible and which will continue indefinitely, where there is no reasonable hope of maintaining life.
(b)] "Palliative care" means the active, interdisciplinary care of patients with advanced, life-limiting illness, focusing on relief of distressing physical and psychosocial symptoms and meeting spiritual needs. Its goal is achievement of the best quality of life for patients and families.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03391-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.