Requires every general hospital to have a community advisory board.
Impact
The bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability in how hospitals operate while ensuring that they meet the health care needs of the communities they serve. By requiring hospitals to make their community service plans public and to report on their performance annually, S09779 seeks to ensure that hospitals uphold their commitments to charity care and improve healthcare access for underserved populations.
Summary
Bill S09779, introduced in the New York Senate, mandates that every general hospital within the state must establish a community advisory board. This board will serve to consider and advise on matters related to hospital planning and programs. Furthermore, the governing body of each hospital is required to develop a mission statement that outlines their commitments to the communities they serve, along with a systematic approach to solicit community feedback on hospital performance and priorities.
Contention
While the bill's proponents argue that the establishment of community advisory boards will facilitate better communication between hospitals and their communities, concerns may arise regarding the resources allocated to maintaining these boards. Some stakeholders worry that financial or staffing constraints might hinder hospitals' ability to comply fully with these new requirements. The legislation could also spark discussions on how effectively communities can influence hospital policies, given the varying levels of engagement and representation on advisory boards.
Requires general hospitals to have a registered professional nurse as a sitting and voting member of the governing entity responsible for developing a hospital's strategic plan, structure, systems, policies and programs.
Requires security at all publicly accessible entrances of general hospitals; requires every general hospital to have either one off-duty law enforcement officer or trained security personnel be present at all times at each publicly accessible entrance or have installed locking doors at each publicly accessible entrance; requires every general hospital to provide wearable employee panic buttons or alert devices capable of immediately notifying on-site security personnel or law enforcement in the event of a dangerous situation or emergency.
Requires hospitals to have a registered professional nurse as a sitting and voting member of the governing entity responsible for developing a hospital's strategic plan, structure, systems, policies and programs.
Requires general hospitals and nursing homes to offer free notarial services to patients; requires an employee of such general hospital or nursing home who is a notary public to be present from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on business days.
Requires that general hospitals that provide mastectomy surgery, lymph node dissection or lumpectomy provide information to such patients concerning options for breast reconstruction.
Requires that general hospitals that provide mastectomy surgery, lymph node dissection or lumpectomy provide information to such patients concerning options for breast reconstruction.
Relating to the establishment, powers and duties, terms, and governance of certain advisory bodies for programs administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Relating to certain advisory entities and work groups under the jurisdiction of the comptroller of public accounts or on which the comptroller's office is represented and to the repeal or redesignation of certain of those entities.
Urging The aha Moku Advisory Committee To Follow Its Adopted Rules Of Practice, Fulfill Its Statutory Duties, Establish Policies To Assure Consistent Standards Of Administrative And Managerial Accountability; And Convening A Working Group To Make Recommendations.
Urging The aha Moku Advisory Committee To Follow Its Adopted Rules Of Practice, Fulfill Its Statutory Duties, Including Complying With The Sunshine Law, Conduct A Performance Review Of Its Executive Director, And Establish Policies To Assure Consistent Standards Of Administrative And Managerial Accountability; And Requesting The Office Of The Auditor To Conduct A Comprehensive Performance And Financial Audit Of The aha Moku Advisory Committee.