HARTFORD — Legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Themis Klarides that’s designed to give hospice patients greater comfort and security has been approved by the state’s House of Representatives. The bill, An Act Concerning Regulations Relating to Hospice Care, allows state hospice care in multiple forms, including at-home care, instead of just hospital-based care as current law stipulates.
The regulatory changes were recommended by the state Department of Public Health and have been before the legislature’s Regulation Review Committee and the Attorney General’s Office.
Advocates in Connecticut’s hospice care community say the state’s hospice infrastructure needed to be updated in order to make care available to more families.
“Hospice care is an invaluable resource for people at their greatest moments of need,” said Klarides, who represents Woodbridge, Orange and Derby. “This bill is a good step toward expanding access.”
The proposal received bipartisan support in the House, where it was approved 146-0.
It has been sent to the state senate for action.
