Requires that an individual's caregiver be present when healthcare decisions are discussed with the hospice team. It would also prevent a denial of home hospice care because of age or income.

Plain-English Summary

This bill makes two key changes to how hospice care works in Rhode Island. First, it requires that a patient's designated caregiver — such as a family member or trusted friend — must be allowed to be present whenever healthcare decisions are being discussed between the patient and their hospice care team. This ensures that patients are not navigating complex end-of-life medical conversations alone and that someone who knows and supports them can be part of those important discussions.

Second, the bill prohibits hospice care providers from denying someone home hospice care based on their age or income level. This means that a provider could not turn away a patient simply because they are considered too young or too old for certain services, or because the patient cannot afford to pay or has limited financial resources. The goal is to make sure that access to end-of-life care at home is based on a person's medical needs rather than their personal circumstances.

This bill would primarily affect patients who are receiving or seeking hospice care at home, their family members and caregivers, and the healthcare providers and organizations that deliver hospice services in Rhode Island. The bill has been introduced and referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.