S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
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                                  5894

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            February 23, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by  M.  of  A. LATIMER, CLARK, GALEF, BENEDETTO, MAGNARELLI,
  GREENE, ESPAILLAT, SCHROEDER, COOK, BRADLEY -- Multi-Sponsored  by  --
  M. of A. DelMONTE, LUPARDO, McENENY, PHEFFER, REILLY, ROBINSON, ROSEN-
  THAL, WEISENBERG -- read once and referred to the Committee on Health

AN  ACT  to  amend  the public health law, in relation to the post polio
  sequelae public awareness program

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  Subdivision 1 of section 207 of the public health law, as
amended by chapter 471 of the laws of 2007 and paragraphs (f)  as  added
by  chapters  570  and  573  of  the laws of 2008, is amended to read as
follows:
  1. There is hereby created within the department the health  care  and
wellness  education  and  outreach program. The department shall conduct
education and outreach programs for consumers, patients, and health care
providers relating to [any health care matters  the  commissioner  deems
appropriate and]:
  (a) Various health conditions, diseases and health care procedures and
treatment options.
  (b)  Recommended  preventative  and  wellness  practices and services,
including age and gender appropriate testing  and  screening  exams  and
immunization schedules.
  (c)  Lymphedema, an abnormal swelling of the extremities including the
causes and symptoms of lymphedema, the value of early detection,  possi-
ble  options for treatment including their benefits and risks, and other
relevant information and  the  recommendation  that  hospitals  treating
breast cancer patients implement a lymphedema alert program by placing a
bright pink wristband on the patient's affected arm.
  (d)  The  need  and importance of organ and tissue donation, including
information about being registered as an  organ  and  tissue  donor  and
executing documents of gift under article forty-three of this chapter.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD09377-01-9
              

A. 5894                             2

  (e)  The  need  and  importance  for consumers and patients to have an
advance directive, particularly a health care proxy, and  the  need  and
importance  for  health  care  providers  to  play  a leadership role in
discussing end-of-life care preferences and values with patients and  to
provide patients with health care proxy forms.
  (f)  Uterine  fibroids,  an abnormal growth that occurs in the uterus,
including the causes and symptoms of  uterine  fibroids,  the  value  of
early detection, possible options for treatment including their benefits
and risks, information on the elevated risk for minority women and other
relevant information.
  [(f)]  (G)  Improving  birth  outcomes,  including  the  importance of
preconceptional care, early  prenatal  care,  considerations  of  health
risks  during  pregnancy,  considerations of benefits and risks of labor
and delivery options including, but not limited to, vaginal and cesarean
section delivery, elective or repeat cesarean sections, and  appropriate
use of drugs during delivery.
  (H)  POST-POLIOMYELITIS  SEQUELAE,  AN  AFTER-EFFECT OF POLIO THAT CAN
OCCUR MANY YEARS AFTER THE INITIAL INCIDENCE OF THE DISEASE.
  (I) ANY OTHER HEALTH CARE-RELATED MATTERS AS  THE  COMMISSIONER  DEEMS
APPROPRIATE.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.