“Last week, over the objections of New York State’s medical society, Gov. David A. Paterson signed into law a bill – the New York Palliative Care Information Act – requiring physicians who treat patients with a terminal illness or condition to offer them or their representatives information about prognosis and options for end-of-life care, including aggressive pain management and hospice care as well as the possibilities for further life-sustaining treatment.”1
Similar legislation was proposed in the National Health Bill that was passed this year, but that language was removed in the final version.
There are difficult choices concerning “what to do?” when you or a loved one has an illness that is identified as terminal. Having complete information about all the options seems the optimal beginning point for figuring out what is best for each individual.
1“Frank Talk About Care At Life’s End” by Jane E. Brody, The New York Times, page D1, August 24, 2010
