BILL NUMBER: S9620A
SPONSOR: SCARCELLA-SPANTON
 
TITLE OF BILL: 3sk 1 An act to amend the public health law, in
relation to requiring residential health care facilities to maintain
hospice agreements to ensure access to hospice services for eligible
residents
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To ensure that residents of nursing homes have meaningful, timely access
to hospice services by requiring residential health care facilities to
maintain hospice agreements and coordinate care for eligible residents.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends the Public Health Law, adding a new section 2808-g
to:
*Require residential health care facilities to enter and maintain writ-
ten agreements with hospice programs licensed under Article 40.
*Establish minimum requirements for coordination of care between facili-
ties and hospice providers.
*Direct the Department of Health to provide guidance and technical
assistance, including model contract provisions and best practice recom-
mendations; and
The bill also authorizes the Department of Health to seek any necessary
federal approvals. Section two provides for the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Although federal and state law authorizes hospice services to be deliv-
ered in nursing homes, access to hospice care remains inconsistent
across New York State. Many residents with advanced or terminal illness
are denied access, experience delayed referral, unnecessary hospital
transfers, and care that is misaligned with their goals and preferences.
Hospice programs provide specialized interdisciplinary care that
improves quality of life, supports families and caregivers, and reduces
avoidable high acuity interventions. This bill helps assure that patient
choice is honored and establishes a uniform statewide expectation that
nursing homes maintain hospice agreements to support resident choice,
improve care coordination, and promote effective use of health care
resources.
By ensuring that every residential health care facility has a formal
relationship with one or more hospice providers, the bill strengthens
continuity of care, reduces unnecessary hospitalizations, and advances
equitable access to high-quality end-of-life care.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect one hundred days after it becomes law.

Statutes affected:
S9620: 2808 public health law