Bill > A04717

This bill establishes the Office of Hospice and Palliative Care Access and Quality within the New York State Department of Health, creating a new leadership position to enhance and support end-of-life care services. The office's director, appointed by the commissioner, will have broad responsibilities including providing expert input on hospice and palliative care policy development, ensuring providers and patients are considered in regulatory changes, developing recommendations to improve patient care for individuals with chronic or life-limiting illnesses, facilitating communication between the department and care providers, raising awareness about hospice and palliative care services, identifying and eliminating service barriers, promoting innovative care delivery models, establishing quality metrics, supporting advance care planning, collaborating with palliative care education councils, and ensuring equitable access to services across underrepresented communities. The bill mandates that the commissioner and director submit a comprehensive report to state leadership and post it on the department's website within two years of the law's enactment and annually thereafter, detailing the office's activities and providing recommendations. The legislation will take effect 180 days after becoming law, with immediate authorization for developing necessary implementation regulations.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4717