Bill Text: SC H4935 | 2017-2018 | 122nd General Assembly | Draft
Bill Title: SC Palliative Care and Quality of Life Study Committee
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2018-05-11 - Effective date 05/03/18 [H4935 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2017-H4935-Draft.html
RECALLED
April 3, 2018
H. 4935
S. Printed 4/3/18--H. [SEC 4/4/18 7:11 PM]
Read the first time February 14, 2018.
A JOINT RESOLUTION
TO CREATE THE "SOUTH CAROLINA PALLIATIVE CARE AND QUALITY OF LIFE STUDY COMMITTEE"; TO PROVIDE FOR THE PURPOSE, MEMBERSHIP, AND DUTIES OF THE STUDY COMMITTEE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. (A)(1) There is created the South Carolina Palliative Care and Quality of Life Study Committee. The study committee is comprised of the following members:
(a) one member of the Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, appointed by the chairman;
(b) one member of the Medical Affairs Committee of the Senate, appointed by the chairman;
(c) two members, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(d) two members, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;
(e) three members, appointed by the Governor;
(f) one representative of the Department of Health and Human Services with experience pertinent to palliative care to act as the research and technical coordinator for issues relating to palliative care; and
(g) one representative of the Division on Aging of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
(2) The appointing authorities are encouraged to coordinate appointments to ensure the study committee includes interdisciplinary representation of medical, nursing, social work, pharmacy, and spiritual professionals with palliative care expertise and patient and family caregiver advocate representation. Membership must include health professionals who have palliative care work experience or expertise in palliative care delivery models in a variety of inpatient, outpatient, and community settings, such as acute care, long-term care, or hospice, and with a variety of populations, including pediatric and adult patients. A minimum of two members must be board-certified hospice and palliative care physicians, one with certification and experience in pediatric palliative care and one with certification and experience in adult palliative care.
(3) The members shall elect a chairperson and vice chairperson from among their membership. The Division on Aging shall provide staff support for the study committee to perform their duties.
(4) Members of the study committee may not receive compensation but are entitled to mileage, subsistence, and per diem as allowed by law for members of state boards, commissions, and committees.
(B) The study committee shall consult with and advise the Division on Aging on matters related to the establishment, maintenance, operation, and outcomes evaluation of palliative care initiatives in this State, including needed state policies or responses and ways to provide clear and coordinated services to support and enhance the delivery of palliative care.
(C) The Division on Aging shall publish on its website information and resources recommended by the study committee on palliative care for the public, health care providers and health care facilities including, but not limited to, continuing educational opportunities for health care providers; information about palliative care delivery in the home, primary, secondary and tertiary environments; best practices for palliative care delivery; and consumer educational materials and referral information for palliative care, including hospice.
(D) By December 31, 2019, the study committee shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a report on the state of palliative care in South Carolina with findings and recommendations, after which the study committee must be dissolved.
(E) For purposes of this Joint Resolution:
(1) 'Health care facility' means a hospital or a specialty care facility including, but not limited to, a pediatric facility, skilled nursing facility, intermediate care facility, assisted living community, personal care home, ambulatory surgical or obstetrical facility, health maintenance organization, home health agency, and diagnostic, treatment, or rehabilitation center.
(2) 'Palliative care' means an approach which improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the issues associated with chronic life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and assessment, reduced hospital readmissions and treatment of pain and other conditions associated with chronic illness, including physical, psychosocial, and spiritual. Palliative care includes, but is not limited to:
(a) discussions involving a patient's goals for treatment;
(b) discussions involving treatment options which are appropriate to the patient, including where appropriate, hospice care and how palliative care can be utilized with other curative treatments and in addition to hospice care; and
(c) comprehensive pain and symptom management.
SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
