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Palliative Care Bill Approved by House

OKLAHOMA CITY – An advisory panel that helps set state health policies would have more input from experts on the coordinated care of patients with chronic conditions under a measure approved unanimously today in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

House Bill 1085, by state Rep. Pat Ownbey, modifies the Home Care and Hospice Advisory Council to include palliative care and specifies membership of the Home Care, Hospice and Palliative Care Advisory Council. The measure directs the council to identify ways to improve the quality and delivery of palliative care.

Ownbey said the American Cancer Society is a strong supporter of the legislation because of the often chronic and complicated nature of cancer treatment.

“A cancer patient, for example, may need medicine or treatments to fight the cancer, pain and comfort medications, surgeries, and possibly physical therapy after surgery,” said Ownbey, R-Ardmore. “These palliative care specialists on the advisory council will help create best practices and policies in the state for coordinated care.”

An Oklahoma State Department of Health spokesman praised the bill’s passage.

“The Oklahoma State Department of Health has worked closely with Representative Ownbey and the American Cancer Society to promote the addition of two experts in palliative care to the Home Care and Hospice Advisory Council,” said Mark Newman, Director of the Office of State and Federal Policy for OSDH. “We think this is an excellent idea that will add valuable expertise to the services of this council.”

The legislation, which will increase the panel’s membership from seven to nine members, was approved by a vote of 90-0. It now proceeds to the Oklahoma Senate for consideration.