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N.Y. patients to be told about end-of-life care options
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Aug. 30, 2010
New York physicians must tell their patients with terminal illness about end-of-life options such as palliative and hospice care, according to a bill signed into law in August by Gov. David Paterson. Physicians unwilling to tell patients about their right to "comprehensive pain and symptom management at the end of life" must refer them elsewhere for care.
The law does not stipulate a penalty for noncompliance. But the state health department will develop rules and regulations related to the act, according to the measure.
The legislation was prompted by concerns that some physicians may not inform their patients about end-of-life pain management techniques such as palliative sedation. California enacted a similar law in 2008.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/08/30/prbf0830.htm.
