SB 39

This bill establishes within the Department of Health Services a Palliative Care Council, which includes as members a statewide group of medical and clinical professionals with expertise in the provision of palliative care services, as well as patients or family members of patients who have experience receiving palliative care services, to advise DHS about palliative care issues.

The bill requires the council to consult with and advise DHS regarding 1) outcome evaluation of established palliative care programs; 2) the economic and quality of life effectiveness of palliative care that is provided along with curative treatment; 3) the mechanisms for and adequacy of reimbursement for palliative care services; and 4) any other issues relating to palliative care arising through meetings or discussions, as the council determines appropriate. The bill provides that the council may not consult with or advise DHS on physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, medical aid in dying, or any other act that would condone, authorize, approve, or permit any affirmative or deliberate act to end life other than the withholding or withdrawing of health care under an advance directive or power of attorney for health care so as to permit the natural process of dying. Under the bill, DHS must, in consultation with the council, establish a statewide palliative care consumer and professional information and education program to ensure that comprehensive and accurate information and education about palliative care are available to the public, health care providers, and health care facilities. The bill provides that DHS must make certain information and resources regarding palliative care available on its website. Under the bill, the council must submit reports to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature providing its analysis on the issues of access to palliative care and the impact of palliative care on health care delivery systems in this state and on families that have experience with palliative care services.