Requires emergency action plans for delivery of oxygen to patient residences during public health emergency.
Impact
If enacted, this bill would have significant implications for state regulations concerning healthcare services, particularly during public health emergencies. By requiring specific protocols for oxygen distribution, the bill aims to enhance the responsiveness of healthcare providers in urgent situations, thus improving patient outcomes. The Division of Consumer Affairs will play a central role in implementing these requirements, ensuring compliance among providers throughout the state.
Summary
Assembly Bill A1011 aims to improve emergency preparedness for the delivery of oxygen to patients' residences during public health emergencies. The bill mandates that all pharmacies and other licensed providers of oxygen and oxygen delivery systems formulate and adopt emergency action plans. These plans are intended to ensure the continuous availability of oxygen for patients and to address any inquiries or requests regarding the delivery of oxygen during such emergencies.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding A1011 may arise from the logistics of implementing and maintaining these emergency action plans. Concerns could include the feasibility of swift oxygen delivery in emergencies, the potential costs to providers in adopting these measures, and the adequacy of the proposed regulations that will be established by the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. Stakeholders in both the healthcare industry and patient advocacy groups will likely have differing opinions on the practicality and sufficiency of the regulations stemming from this bill.
Requires a medical equipment service agency that has supplied oxygen or an oxygen delivery system to a patient to notify the appropriate fire department or company serving the municipality in which the patient resides of the name, address, and age of the patient and the existence of the oxygen or oxygen delivery system at the patient's residence; provides for informed consent; requires notice to the fire department of removal of such equipment.
Adds new sections that set forth conditions for pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation drug therapies, including education approved by state board of pharmacy. The cessation therapies to be covered by all health insurance carriers on or after 1/1/26.
Adds new sections that set forth conditions for pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation drug therapies, including education approved by state board of pharmacy. The cessation therapies to be covered by all health insurance carriers on or after 1/1/26.