AN ACT CONCERNING PALLIATIVE AND HOSPICE CARE IN LITCHFIELD COUNTY.

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Study on Palliative and Hospice Care in Litchfield County

This act requires a study to examine the need for palliative and hospice care services in Litchfield County, with potential for a pilot program if needed.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the Commissioner of Social Services to study the need for palliative and hospice care in Litchfield County.
• The commissioner must consider findings from the Palliative Care Advisory Council when conducting the study.
• By January 1, 2027, the commissioner must submit a report on the study's findings to specific committees.
• If there is a need for these services, the commissioner may design and implement a pilot program within available funds.
• The commissioner can seek federal funding or amend Medicaid rules to support the pilot program.

Who It Names or Affects

• People in Litchfield County who might benefit from palliative and hospice care services
• Healthcare providers interested in offering these services

Terms To Know

Palliative Care

Care that focuses on relieving symptoms, pain, and stress for people with serious illnesses.

Hospice Care

A type of care focused on providing comfort and support to patients who are nearing the end of life.

Limits and Unknowns

• The act does not specify how much funding will be available for a pilot program.
• It is unclear if or when a pilot program will actually start based on the study's findings.

Official Summary Text

To study the need for, and authorize a pilot program to address, palliative and hospice care in Litchfield County.

Current Bill Text

Substitute Senate Bill No. 431

Special Act No. 26-27

AN ACT CONCERNING PALLIATIVE AND HOSPICE CARE IN
LITCHFIELD COUNTY.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. ( Effective from passage ) (a) The Commissioner of Social
Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Health, shall
study the need for palliative and hospice care services in Litchfield
County. In conducting the study, the commissioner shall take into
consideration any findings concerning the need for such services by the
Palliative Care Advisory Council established pursuant to section 19a-6o
of the general statutes.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2027, the Commissioner of Social
Services shall file a re port on the study, in accordance with the
provisions of section 11 -4a of the general statutes, with the joint
standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of
matters relating to human services and public health. If the study
concludes that there is a need for such services, the commissioner may,
within available appropriations, design and implement a pilot program
to provide such services in Litchfield Co unty. The commissioner shall
maximize any federal funding available for such pilot program and may
seek a Medicaid waiver or amend the Medicaid state plan to obtain such
funding.
Substitute Senate Bill No. 431

Special Act No. 26-27 2 of 2