New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S09621

Introduced
3/30/26  

Caption

Amends policies and procedures to improve access to palliative care and hospice services; directs implementation of hospice-palliative care health system demonstration projects.

Impact

Should S09621 be enacted, it will primarily affect how healthcare facilities operate concerning palliative care delivery, potentially improving the quality of end-of-life care in New York. By requiring health systems to integrate palliative care as a vital component of their services, the bill aligns with goals to enhance patient quality of life and ensure that care is administered in accordance with patient needs and preferences. Furthermore, the introduction of demonstration projects funded at five million dollars annually aims to bolster collaboration between hospitals and hospice providers, thereby improving care transitions for seriously ill patients.

Summary

Bill S09621 aims to enhance access to palliative care and hospice services within New York State. It proposes amendments to existing public health laws to ensure that hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities implement written policies that facilitate timely access to palliative care for patients with advanced life-limiting conditions. This includes the establishment of procedures for identifying eligible patients and ensuring they are informed of and referred to appropriate palliative care services and hospice options.

Contention

While the bill seeks to improve access to essential services, there remain ongoing debates around the implementation specifics, including how healthcare facilities will coordinate these services and the adequacy of funding for the proposed initiatives. Critics may voice concerns regarding the burden placed on healthcare facilities to adapt to these new requirements and whether they will have the necessary resources and training to provide comprehensive palliative care effectively. The bill's success may ultimately hinge on how these challenges are addressed by the state's health administration.

Companion Bills

NY A10316

Same As Amends policies and procedures to improve access to palliative care and hospice services; directs implementation of hospice-palliative care health system demonstration projects.

Previously Filed As

NY A10316

Amends policies and procedures to improve access to palliative care and hospice services; directs implementation of hospice-palliative care health system demonstration projects.

NY A10794

Establishes the hospice and palliative care workgroup to study and issue recommendations related to the state of affairs of hospice and palliative care services offered in New York state, utilization metrics of hospice and palliative care services, and effectiveness and accessibility of home hospice and palliative care services; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.

NY HB2397

DOC-HOSPICE/PALLIATIVE CARE

NY SB1524

DOC-HOSPICE/PALLIATIVE CARE

NY S09295

Establishes the office of hospice and palliative care access and quality to provide expertise and input on hospice and palliative care policy development and regulation.

NY SB2287

Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act

NY HB4425

Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act

NY HF708

A bill for an act relating to health care decisions related to palliative care, hospice programs, life-sustaining procedures, and out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate orders.(See HF 2305.)

NY SJR105

Designates November each year as "Hospice and Palliative Care Awareness Month."

NY HB630

Hospice and Palliative Care Study and Advisory Committee Act; create.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.