New Jersey Assembly Bill A1206

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Establishes Working Group on End-of-Life Care and Palliative Care in DOH.

Impact

The establishment of this working group is intended to culminate in a thorough plan that addresses legislative, administrative, and policy recommendations for improving patient access to high-quality palliative care. It will also involve assessing the performance measures designed to evaluate the effectiveness of end-of-life care services presently available. The focus on creating collaborative strategies to enhance care delivery reflects a significant shift towards prioritizing comprehensive healthcare for individuals facing serious illness and their families.

Summary

Assembly Bill A1206 establishes a Working Group on End-of-Life Care and Palliative Care within the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH). The group will consist of 24 members, including state health authorities, public members from various healthcare organizations, and representatives from patient advocacy and community sectors. The primary aim of this working group is to create a comprehensive plan addressing the recommendations made by the New Jersey Advisory Council on End-of-Life Care from its 2018 report, focusing on improving palliative and end-of-life care across the state.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding this bill is the responsibility placed on the working group to regularly report its progress to legislative committees. Should the working group fail to develop its plan within one year, the chairperson must justify the delays in front of legislative committees, which may lead to political scrutiny and pressure. This accountability mechanism could be seen positively as a means of ensuring timely action, but it may also create tension between the need for comprehensive planning and the legislative push for rapid implementation.