NY A07872

Amends Public Health Law section 2997-c to require health care practitioners providing palliative care to inform patients about the benefits of completing a health care proxy and appointing a health care agent.

Health care practitioners must request a copy of the newly completed or existing health care proxy from the patient and include it in the patient's medical record.

When a patient lacks capacity to understand palliative care decisions, the attending health care practitioner must provide health care proxy information and counseling to a person with authority to make health care decisions for the patient.

The information and counseling regarding health care proxies may be provided orally or in writing and can be delivered by the attending practitioner or another professionally qualified individual.

Takes effect immediately upon enactment.