Yes, the Palliative Care Information Act became effective in 2011. End of Life Choices New York played an instrumental part in getting this law enacted.

Per the Palliative Care Information Act, if a patient is diagnosed with a terminal illness or condition (a life expectancy of 6 months or fewer if the disease runs its typical course), the patient’s attending medical practitioner must offer to provide the patient with information and counseling regarding palliative care and end of life options appropriate to the patient, and information regarding other appropriate treatment options should the patient wish to initiate or continue treatment. 

Information and counseling offered must include (but not be limited to): range of appropriate options, prognosis, risks and benefits of different options, patient’s legal rights to pain and symptom management. This information may be given to the patient (or their health care agent/surrogate if they lack capacity) in writing and/or verbally.

Note that this law requires that this information must be offered. It is up to the patient (or their health care agent/surrogate) whether they would like to receive this information, and they may refuse.

For more information about the Palliative Care Information Act, please visit http://endoflifechoicesny.org/advocacy/legislation/pcia/

January 3, 2022

Do terminally ill New Yorkers have the right to receive information about their end-of-life options?

Yes, the Palliative Care Information Act became effective in 2011. End of Life Choices New York played an instrumental part in getting this law enacted. Per […]
January 3, 2022

Are medical providers required to let their patients know about palliative care?

In 2011, New York passed the Palliative Care Access Act (PCAA). The PCAA mandates that hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, and enhanced or special needs […]
January 3, 2022

What is the legal status of the Dementia Directive? Are there special considerations?

As this is a new directive, no New York law or court has considered it, and judicial review is anticipated. Until this occurs, there are some […]
January 3, 2022

How do I complete a living will?

Unlike most other states, in New York there is no state law recognizing living wills (and therefore there is no official form). The legal basis for […]
January 3, 2022

If my loved one is listed as a surrogate in the Family Health Care Decisions Act, do I still need to complete a Health Care Proxy?

The person this law designates as the one who can make decisions on your behalf may not be the person you would trust to follow your […]
January 3, 2022

What is the Family Health Care Decisions Act?

There is a law in New York called the Family Health Care Decisions Act, which passed in 2010. If you don’t have a Health Care Proxy […]
DONATE