HARTFORD, CT – In an effort to give end-of-life hospice patients more comfort and security, State Representatives Jason Perillo (R-113) and Lawrence Miller (R-122) both voted to support of hospice care legislation in the House of Representatives last week.
House Bill 5499 – An Act Concerning Regulations Relating to Hospice Care, will allow State hospice care in multiple forms, including at-home care, instead of just hospital-based care as current law stipulates.
The regulatory changes have been recommended by the State Department of Public Health and have been before the legislature’s Regulation Review Committee and the Attorney General’s Office.
This compromise bill would expand the number of facilities allowed to provide inpatient services for the terminally ill while satisfying advocates for Connecticut Hospice that it would not lower standards.
Rep. Perillo expressed changing the regulations on these care facilities will provide more “home like” private suites for patients and their families across the state.
“Every person deserves to live his or her last days at home and many circumstances may prevent this,” said Miller. “Having a residence that provides an atmosphere that emulates home will allow a person’s time of passing to be a private and personal one and the family to spend these last moments with their loved one in peace and dignity. Bill 5499 makes it possible. “
“Increased access to at-home care will assist families who have been looking for a more comfortable and peaceful setting for their loved ones. I am thrilled to see this bill pass successfully through the House – it’s long overdue,” said Perillo, the lead Republican on the legislature’s Public Heath Committee.
The compromise bill was approved unanimously in the House and now moves to the State Senate for further action.
