Rep. Scribner Champions Improvements to State Hospice Care

Rep. Scribner Champions Improvements to State Hospice Care

Bill Will Expand State Hospice Care and Allow New Facilities to Move Forward

HARTFORD—Last week State Representative David A. Scribner (R-107) helped give end-of-life patients greater comfort and security by successfully generating House and Senate support for his bill that improves how State hospice care is administered.

Rep. Scribner co-sponsored and was the foremost legislative advocate for HB 5499, AAC Regulations Relating to Hospice Care. The proposal allows State hospice care in multiple forms, including at-home care, instead of just hospital-based care as current law stipulates.

Passage of the bill also allows plans for a state-of-the-art, 12 bed, in-patient, palliative care facility in Danbury, as well as one in New London, to proceed. The facilities will provide “home like” private suites for patients and their families.

Following months of advocacy, Rep. Scribner applauded the unanimous House passage of the bill on April 19, and cheered the Senate for passing the bill on May 8 with a 33-3 vote.

“I want to thank my legislative colleagues for their overwhelming support for this important and meaningful bill. This legislation will provide patients and their families the comfort and peace of mind they desperately seek at the end of their lives.  I urge the Governor to sign this commendable bill into law so that the people of Connecticut can have increased access to quality end-of-life care.” Rep. Scribner said.

Cynthia Roy-Squitierri is the President and CEO of Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western Connecticut, Inc., and has worked closely with Rep. Scribner to shepherd this legislation through the General Assembly. “Rep. Scribner was instrumental in moving this forward, co-sponsoring the legislation, handling the concerns of critics and convening Department of Public Health meetings to address any last-minute issues.” Cynthia said.

Rep. Scribner was praised by House Deputy Speaker, Rep. Bob Godfrey, for all of his hard work and leadership on this important effort.

In all, over 90 state legislators signed on to co-sponsor the bill following Rep. Scribner’s promotion of its merits.  The bill now goes to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

The regulatory changes provided in the bill 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.

Rep. Scribner is a member of the legislature’s Public Health Committee and is a long time advocate and volunteer for the Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western Connecticut. He has served on the organization’s distinguished Board of Directors for many years.

The Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western Connecticut is a non-profit organization that provides care, comfort, compassion, advocacy, and most importantly peace of mind, for families facing advanced illness. Their highly trained clinical staff provides expert care and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Last year the organization served more than 500 patients and provided $553,304 in community benefit, including $129,095 in free patient care services, consults and visits. For more information, please visit the organization’s website.

Rep. Scribner represents the communities of Bethel and Brookfield

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