Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Subscribe to receive notifications of new Co-Sponsorship Memos circulated

Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	January 16, 2013 11:17 AM
From:	Senator Jay Costa
To:	All Senate members
Subject:	Patient Comfort Legislation

Please join me in sponsoring legislation introduced in the 2011-2012 legislative session in two parts as Senate Bill 1493, sponsored by Senators COSTA, BROWNE, WAUGH, BLAKE, FONTANA, RAFFERTY, SCHWANK, SOLOBAY, YUDICHAK, LEACH and FARNESE;
and
Senate Bill 1494, sponsored by Senators COSTA, BROWNE, BLAKE, FONTANA, RAFFERTY, SCHWANK, SOLOBAY, YUDICHAK, LEACH and FARNESE.

The Coalition for Quality at the End of Life as aspired to provide better care for dying patients, particularly in the area of pain management. These pieces of legislation are supported by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation.

Document #1

Introduced as SB453

Description:	Senate Bill 1493, the Patient Comfort Act, would create a Patient's Bill of Rights for Palliative Care and Pain Management, including the right for terminally ill patients to be informed by a physician of all available options related to terminal care. The bill would also require the Department of Health to establish a Palliative Care and Pain Management Task Force -- whose purpose would be to help patients gain access for services and propose solutions for addressing gaps in services. Please join me in sponsoring this important legislation.

Document #2

Introduced as SB454

Description:	Senate Bill 1494, an amendment to the MCARE Act, would require physicians and surgeons to take a 12-hour course in pain management and treatment of terminally ill and dying patients as a part of their 100 hour continuing education requirements over the next four years. Please join me in sponsoring this important legislation.