The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Christine Arbo Peck.
DIGEST
SB 119 Engrossed 2019 Regular Session Colomb
Proposed law defines palliative care as person-centered, family-focused care that provides a patient
with relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness. Proposed law provides that
palliative care is appropriate for a patient of any age and at any stage of a serious illness and can
reduce medical costs and patient recovery time when provided by an interdisciplinary team of
physicians, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare specialists in order to provide an additional
source of support to a patient with a serious illness.
Proposed law establishes the Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council to study and make
recommendations to the secretary and the legislature regarding the availability of patient-centered
and family-focused palliative care in this state. Proposed law provides that the secretary shall call
the first meeting and that the council shall meet at least twice a year.
Proposed law provides that the department shall provide staff support for the council and shall post
notices and materials regarding the council on its website.
Proposed law provides that council members shall have at least two years of experience providing
individual or interdisciplinary palliative care to pediatric, youth, or adult populations in inpatient,
outpatient, or community settings and shall include four physicians, three nurses, one palliative care
program administrator, one social worker, one pharmacist, one spiritual care advisor, one insurance
administrator, three patient and family advocates, and the secretary of the Louisiana Department of
Health.
Proposed law provides for analysis of information regarding palliative care to be included in
recommendations to the secretary and the legislature and for the creation of an educational initiative,
including the addition of such information on the department's website. Proposed law provides for
a report to the legislature on February 1st of each year.
Proposed law terminates on March 31, 2022, unless reauthorized by the legislature.
Effective August 1, 2019.
(Adds R.S. 36:259(B)(36) and R.S. 40:2018.6)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to the
original bill 1. Provides that one of the four physician members of the council shall be board
certified in pediatric palliative care.
2. Adds the Medicaid director to the council.
3. Adds authority for the council to engage and solicit input from, at a minimum, certain
identified stakeholders.
4. Increases the number of meetings a member may miss before being replaced from
two to three.
5. Increases frequency of council meetings from twice each year to quarterly each year.
6. Changes the definition of "palliative care".
7. Makes technical corrections.