Senate Bill S3762

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S3762

SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing the
lymphology study and requiring the department of health to study the
effects of certain training criteria established by the Lymphology Asso-
ciation of North America

 
PURPOSE OF BILL:

This bill requires that the lymphology study examine the effects of
requiring all therapists in this state treating patients inflicted with
lymphedema to meet the training criteria established by the Lymphology
Association of North America, and specifically examine whether such
criteria would improve treatments, patient outcomes and/or lower overall
medical costs.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

              

Section 1 of this bill amends the public health law article setting
forth the lymphology study.

This bill establishes that the department of health with the responsi-
bility of administering the provisions of this article and otherwise
coordinating the state's policies with respect to the results of the
study.


Section 2 sets forth the effective date, as well as when the results are
submitted to the governor and legislature.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Lymphedema is a chronic, progressive disease caused by any reduction in
the capacity of the lymphatic system to transport lymph and drain the
fluid out of the interstitial space back into the circulatory system.
The term "edema" refers to the accumulation of an excessive amount of
fluid in tissue or organs resulting in swelling. The two major types of
lymphedema (a rare inherited condition) and secondary lymphedema, which
is caused by a blockage or interruption of the normal fluid through the
lymphatic system. Currently there is no general consensus among doctors
regarding a uniform standard of care for the treatment of lymphedema
which is why this bill is so important. Physicians and medical staff who
practice in fields where this disease is uncommon may fail to correctly
diagnose the condition due to the apparent lack of information regarding
this disease.  Mandatory training by the Lymphology Association of North
America will have an immediate impact on those inflicted with the
disease.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017-18: S2288 - Referred to Health

2015-16: S.1935 - Referred to Health

2013-14: S.2770 - Referred to Health

2011-12: S.1173/A.454 - Referred to Health

2010: S.5625 Referred to Health A.10132 Referred to Health

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.