MO SB496

Creates the Missouri Palliative Care and Quality of Life Interdisciplinary Council within the Department of Health and Senior Services, consisting of 11 members including legislators, physicians, nurses, a social worker, patient advocate, and spiritual professional, with appointments due by December 1, 2015

Council members serve 3-year terms without compensation (expenses reimbursed subject to appropriations) and must meet at least biannually to advise on palliative care initiatives and submit annual reports to the General Assembly

Establishes the Palliative Care Consumer and Professional Information and Education Program requiring the department to publish palliative care resources on its website, including continuing education opportunities and consumer referral information

Encourages Missouri hospitals to maintain palliative care information on their websites with links to organizations such as the Center to Advance Palliative Care and National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, and to distribute patient education materials

Both the council and education program automatically sunset on August 28, 2025