Hochul signs legislation to improve health care services

Legislation relates to source plasma centers; requires nursing homes to offer translation of patients' rights and requires display of contact information for long-term care ombudsman program; relates to workforce development

Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed a legislative package aimed toward improving health care services.

Legislation S.2119/A.228 authorizes the collection of source plasma at source plasma donation centers. Legislation S.4377/A.6222 requires nursing homes to offer the translation of patients' rights into the most common non-English languages and mandates display of contact information for New York state's long-term ombudsman program. Legislation S.3543/A.3050 relates to workforce development by requiring certain professionals to provide, and the State Education Department to collect, information about the practice of their professions.

"After the unprecedented strain the pandemic placed on our health care system, it is crucial that we take steps to ensure we are better prepared in the future," Hochul said. "This legislation will allow New York to have a stronger response to future crises, and I am proud to sign these bills into law to expand access to health care and enhance services for all New Yorkers."

Legislation S.2119/A.228 authorizes the collection of source plasma at source plasma donation centers that comply with federal law, allowing for more centers to open statewide. Plasma is a resource in treating disease, and this legislation expands access for donation.

Legislation S.4377/A.6222 requires the translation of patients' rights into the most common non-English languages in nursing homes and mandates display of contact information for New York state's long-term ombudsman program. This program was established as part of the Older Americans Act and advocates for residents by investigating complaints made.

Legislation S.3543/A.3050 requires certain professionals to provide, and the State Education Department to collect, information about the practice of their professions in order to expand data on New York's health care workforce. This legislation will provide a more accurate view of workforce demands in New York.