RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 351 (SB 119) 2019 Regular Session Colomb
New 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. 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.
Defines "palliative care for children" as the care appropriate for children and their families
that begins at diagnosis and continues regardless of whether or not the treatment is directed
at the disease. This requires health providers to evaluate and alleviate a child's physical,
psychological, and social distress through a multi-disciplinary approach that includes the
family and makes use of available community resources which can be successfully
implemented even if resources are limited. This includes active total care of the child's
body, mind, and spirit and the support given to the family. Palliative care for children can
be provided in tertiary care facilities, in community health centers, and in children's homes.
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. Provides that the secretary
shall call the first meeting and that the council shall meet at least twice a year.
Provides that the department shall provide staff support for the council and shall post notices
and materials regarding the council on its website.
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 seventeen members: 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, the secretary of the La. Department of Health or his designee who shall be a
nonvoting member, and the Medicaid director or his designee.
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. Provides
for a report to the legislature on February 1st of each year.
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)