Wisconsin Senate Bill SB39

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/12/25
• Refer: 2/12/25
• Report Pass: 3/14/25

Caption

Establishment of a Palliative Care Council. (FE)

Impact

The Palliative Care Council will be tasked with several critical responsibilities. These include evaluating existing palliative care programs for outcomes and effectiveness, advising on economic implications, and ensuring adequate reimbursement mechanisms are in place for palliative care services. By creating a centralized advisory body, the bill aims to enhance the coordination of palliative care services across various healthcare providers and settings, leading to improved access and patient outcomes.

Summary

Senate Bill 39 aims to establish a Palliative Care Council within the Department of Health Services (DHS) in Wisconsin. The bill emphasizes the importance of providing expert guidance on matters relating to palliative care, which is essential for improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. The council will comprise medical professionals, insurance representatives, and individuals with experiences in receiving palliative care, ensuring a comprehensive approach to addressing care delivery and policy development in the state.

Contention

One of the notable provisions of the bill is the explicit exclusion of topics such as physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia from the council's advisory scope. This limitation reflects the ongoing ethical and moral debates surrounding end-of-life care, indicating a focus on supportive rather than directive measures. Critics might argue that this could hinder a comprehensive discussion on holistic patient care options, while supporters believe it reinforces the council's primary focus on palliative rather than terminal care.

Implementation

To facilitate implementation, the DHS is mandated to create a statewide consumer and professional education program that ensures accurate and accessible information about palliative care is available to the public and healthcare providers. This program aims to foster community awareness and understanding of palliative care, thereby promoting its integration into standard healthcare practices, particularly for patients requiring specialized support during serious illness.