What's happening
This bill allows hospice residences in New York City to care for up to 25 patients, instead of the previous 16-patient limit.
Why it matters
Addresses capacity constraints in end-of-life care. By raising the limit to 25 beds in NYC, the bill responds to the city's higher demand for hospice services, potentially reducing waiting times for terminally ill patients and their families.
Enables operational flexibility for hospice providers. Larger facilities may be able to operate more efficiently and offer broader services, which could improve patient care and make better use of staff and resources.
Applies retroactively to existing facilities. The new bed limit isn't just for new hospices, but also immediately benefits those already operating, allowing them to expand without needing to relocate or build new sites.
Recognizes urban healthcare realities. The amendment acknowledges the unique population density and healthcare challenges of New York City, setting a precedent for adapting state regulations to local needs.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Hospice Beds in NYC
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
230
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sens. HOYLMAN, RIVERA -- 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 authorizing hospice residences to care for up to 25 patients
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2-b of section 4002 of the public health law, as amended by chapter 205 of the laws of 2017, is amended to read as follows:
2-b. "Hospice residence" means a hospice operated home which is residential in character and physical structure and operated for the purpose of providing more than two hospice patients but not more than sixteen hospice patients or, in cities having a population of one million or more, not more than twenty-five hospice patients, with hospice care, which may include dually certified hospice in-patient beds up to twenty-five percent of the hospice residence's patient capacity, or up to fifty percent of the hospice residence's patient capacity with the commissioner's approval.
§ 2. Subdivision 1 of section 4014 of the public health law, as amended by chapter 512 of the laws of 2013, is amended to read as follows:
1. The commissioner is hereby authorized to establish a hospice residence pilot program. Such program, subject to the rules and regulations of the commissioner, shall authorize the operation of not more than ten hospice residences operated for the purpose of providing more than two hospice patients but not more than sixteen hospice patients or, in cities having a population of one million or more, not more than twenty-five hospice patients, with hospice care. The locations of the hospice residence pilot program shall be geographically disbursed throughout the state and approved by the commissioner. To the extent
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05430-01-9
S. 230 2
that patients may access hospital or skilled nursing home care, the care plan for such patients shall provide for such care.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately and the amendments to sections 4002 and 4014 of the public health law made by sections one and two of this act shall apply to hospice residences established prior to the effective date of this act as well as those created thereafter.
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 authorizing hospice residences to care for up to 25 patients
Purpose or general idea of bill
The bill would expand access to hospice care by allowing hospice resi- dences to care for up to 25 patients.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends the definition of "hospice residence" under public health law to allow for up to 25 patients per hospice residence in cities having a population of one million or more.
Section 2 incorporates the new definition of "hospice residence" from Section 1 into authorized hospice residence pilot programs.
Section 3 states that the act and its amendments shall take effect imme- diately and shall apply to hospice residences established prior to the effective date of the act as well as hospice residences established thereafter.
Justification
Section 4000 of New York's public health law declares "hospice is a socially and financially beneficial alternative to conventional curative care for those afflicted by terminal illness." The Legislature has found that hospice's unique blend of palliative and supportive care can "meet the stresses associated with illness, death and bereavement through the innovation and reorganization of home and traditional inpatient health services." In its recognition of hospices effectiveness, the Legislature has further declared its intention that hospice be made available to all who seek it.
This bill expands the availability of hospice care by increasing the number of patients that can be cared for in hospice residences in New York City. Hospice residences, where more than two patients are cared for under one roof, lower costs of caring for patients in hospital beds and nursing homes. This bill will therefore lower the State's costs while providing more patients with the option of receiving hospice's palliative and supportive care.
Legislative history
S.0111 of 2017-2018 (Hoylman): Died in Health A.0699 of 2017-2018 (Rodriguez): Died in Health S.5255 of 2015-2016 (Hoylman): Died in Health A.1311 of 2015-2016 (Rodriguez): Died in Health
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
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.