CT SB00413

Commissioner of Public Health may establish a pilot program in one or more geographic areas to implement medical orders for life-sustaining treatment, which are written orders by physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, or physician assistants for patients approaching end-of-life or advanced chronic progressive frailty.

Commissioner may create an advisory group of health care providers and consumer advocates, including physicians, nurses, physician assistants, emergency medical service providers, patient advocates, and facility representatives to make recommendations on the pilot program.

Participation in the pilot program is voluntary for health care institutions, emergency medical services organizations, and individual providers; patient participation requires written, signed agreement maintained by the health care provider.

Pilot program policies must ensure medical orders are transferable among institutions, require patient or authorized representative signatures with immediate copies provided, include pre-signing discussions about treatment goals and end-of-life care options, and mandate training for providers on patient communication and awareness of factors affecting care decisions.

Commissioner must submit a report to the Governor and joint standing committee on public health after the pilot program terminates, which must occur no later than October 1, 2016.