SENATE BILL 173

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Craig W. Brandt

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH; ENACTING SECTIONS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACT TO CREATE THE PALLIATIVE CARE ADVISORY COUNCIL AND ESTABLISH THE VIVA LA VIDA PROGRAM.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Public Health Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] PALLIATIVE CARE ADVISORY COUNCIL CREATED--DUTIES.--

          A. The "palliative care advisory council" is created. The council shall advise the department of health, the office of superintendent of insurance and the standing and interim committees of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over health matters on matters related to the establishment, maintenance, operation and outcomes evaluation of palliative care initiatives in the state to increase awareness of, access to and use of palliative care services.

          B. The council is administratively attached to the department of health. Members of the council shall be appointed by the secretary of health and shall include an interdisciplinary group of:

                (1) medical, nursing, social work, pharmacy and spiritual professionals with expertise in palliative care; and

                (2) palliative care patients, family caregivers and patient advocates.

          C. In addition to members appointed pursuant to Subsection B of this section, the council shall include the following ex-officio members:

                (1) the secretary of human services or the secretary's designee;

                (2) the secretary of Indian affairs or the secretary's designee; and

                (3) the secretary of health or the secretary's designee.

          D. Membership of the council shall include health professionals having palliative care work experience or expertise in palliative care delivery models:

                (1) in a variety of inpatient, outpatient and community settings, including acute care, long-term care and hospice; and 

                (2) with a variety of populations, including pediatric, youth and adult populations.

          E. At least two council members shall be certified hospice and palliative medicine physicians or nurses.

          F. Council members shall serve for a period of three years.

          G. By December 1, 2017, the secretary of health shall convene the council for its first meeting, at which council members shall elect a chair and vice chair, whose duties shall be established by the council, and shall fix a time and place for regular meetings of the council, which shall meet at least twice yearly. Council members shall receive no compensation for their services.

          H. As used in this section, "palliative care" means patient- and family-centered medical care that optimizes the quality of life by anticipating, preventing and treating suffering caused by serious illness. Palliative care throughout the continuum of illness involves addressing physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs and facilitating patient autonomy, access to information and choice. "Palliative care" includes discussions of the patient's goals for treatment; discussion of treatment options for the patient, including, where appropriate, hospice care; and comprehensive pain and symptom management."

     SECTION 2. A new section of the Public Health Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] VIVA LA VIDA PROGRAM ESTABLISHED-- PURPOSE--ACTIVITIES.--

          A. The "viva la vida" program is created as a statewide program to educate patients, family caregivers and health care providers about improving quality of life through the provision of palliative care.

          B. The purpose of the viva la vida program is to maximize the awareness of, access to and use of palliative care initiatives in the state by ensuring that comprehensive and accurate information and education about palliative care are available to the public, health care providers and health facilities. The department of health shall consult with the palliative care advisory council established pursuant to Section 1 of this 2017 act in implementing the viva la vida program.

          C. The department of health shall publish on its website information and resources, including links to external resources, about patient and family caregiver quality of life and palliative care for the public, health care providers and health facilities. This information shall include:

                (1) continuing educational opportunities for health care providers;

                (2) information about palliative care delivery in the home and in primary, secondary and tertiary environments;

                (3) best practices for palliative care delivery;  

                (4) consumer educational materials and referral information for palliative care, including hospice; and

                (5) the benefits of palliative care for patients and family caregivers.

          D. The department of health may develop and implement any other initiatives regarding the viva la vida program and palliative care services information and education that the department of health determines would further the purposes of this section.

          E. As used in this section:

                (1) "medical care" means services provided, requested or supervised by a physician or advanced practice nurse;

                (2) "palliative care" means patient- and family-centered medical care that optimizes the quality of life by anticipating, preventing and treating suffering caused by serious illness. Palliative care throughout the continuum of illness involves addressing physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs and facilitating patient autonomy, access to information and choice. "Palliative care" includes discussions of the patient's goals for treatment; discussion of treatment options for the patient, including, hospice care; and comprehensive pain and symptom management; and

                (3) "serious illness" means any medical illness or physical injury or condition that has a substantial impact upon a patient's quality of life for more than a short period of time. "Serious illness" includes cancer; heart, renal or liver failure; lung disease; and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias."

- 6 -