Requires certain health care facilities to allow a terminally ill patient’s use of medicinal cannabis within the health care facility, subject to certain restrictions.
Impact
The bill requires healthcare facilities to accommodate the medicinal use of cannabis but imposes specific conditions to ensure safety and compliance. This includes requiring the patient to present valid identification and medical marijuana documentation, as well as restricting how and where the cannabis is stored. Notably, the act emphasizes that compliance with these provisions cannot impede a facility’s operational licensing, thereby protecting facilities that adhere to state regulations while using cannabis as a treatment option for patients.
Summary
S0847, known as the Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act, amends existing laws to support terminally ill patients in using medicinal cannabis within designated healthcare facilities. This legislation seeks to ensure that patients suffering from terminal illnesses can safely access and utilize medicinal cannabis as part of their treatment plan while adhering to the framework already established under the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act. The bill mandates that these healthcare facilities must allow such use, thereby integrating cannabis therapy into traditional medical environments.
Contention
While supporters advocate for the rights of terminally ill patients to receive quality care that includes medicinal cannabis, there is potential for contention concerning federal laws that classify cannabis as a Schedule I drug. The bill seeks to circumvent conflicts with federal standards by specifying that healthcare facilities cannot prohibit the use of cannabis solely based on its federal classification. This delicate balance aims to navigate the ongoing debate around medicinal cannabis use and healthcare regulations, addressing potential concerns of liability and compliance faced by these facilities.
Allows the healthcare facility to conduct human-subject research on patients subject to 21 C.F.R. Pt 50 and/or 45 C.F.R. Pt 46 (relating to the informed consent of human subjects).
Allows the healthcare facility to conduct human-subject research on patients subject to 21 C.F.R. Pt 50 and/or 45 C.F.R. Pt 46 (relating to the informed consent of human subjects).
Extends the registry identification card renewal for medical marijuana cards from one year to three (3) years; removes the renewal requirement for terminally ill patients.
Prohibits healthcare providers and health plans from denying the payment of a medical bill, solely because the bill may have arisen from a third-party claim.
Prohibits healthcare providers and health plans from denying the payment of a medical bill, solely because the bill may have arisen from a third-party claim.
Prohibits a health insurer from denying a claim for any medical bill based on sole reasoning that the bill may arise from a motor vehicle accident or other third-party claim and prohibits a medical provider from refusing to submit medical for same reason.
Prohibits a health insurer from denying a claim for any medical bill based on sole reasoning that the bill may arise from a motor vehicle accident or other third-party claim and prohibits a medical provider from refusing to submit medical for same reason.
Prohibits certain claim practices of health insurers and medical providers. The act would further require fulfillment of medical record requests within fourteen (14) days.
Prohibits certain claim practices of health insurers and medical providers. The act would further require fulfillment of medical record requests within fourteen (14) days.
Requires certain health care facilities to allow a terminally ill patient’s use of medicinal cannabis within the health care facility, subject to certain restrictions.