Alaska House Bill HB52

Alaska 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/23
• Refer: 1/30/23

Caption

No Patient Left Alone Act

Impact

The bill significantly alters the landscape of healthcare regulations in Alaska by prioritizing patient rights related to emotional support. It requires healthcare facilities to create written policies governing the presence of support persons, ensuring these policies are made publicly available. This change enhances transparency and ensures that patients are informed about their rights, potentially leading to increased anxiety relief and better overall outcomes during medical treatment.

Summary

House Bill 52, known as the Alaska No Patient Left Alone Act, establishes the right of patients and residents in healthcare facilities to have a designated support person present during treatment and stays. This legislation mandates that healthcare providers, including emergency medical services and long-term care facilities, must allow a patient or resident to have their chosen support person with them, ensuring that such access is not limited by vaccination status or during declared disasters. The intention behind the bill is to improve patient experience and emotional support during healthcare encounters.

Contention

While the bill enjoys support from numerous advocates who argue that the presence of a support person is critical for mental health during treatment, there are concerns regarding how such policies will be implemented consistently across varying types of facilities. Furthermore, healthcare providers may face challenges in balancing operational restrictions—such as those related to infection control—against the demands of this law. There are apprehensions about the enforcement of patient rights and the potential bureaucratic burden on healthcare facilities to maintain compliance with the new regulations.