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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 7, 2023 09:24 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Kristin Marcell and Rep. Shelby Labs |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Long-Term Care Medical Director Registry and Communication Act |
| In the near future, we intend to reintroduce legislation requiring establishment of a registry of medical directors in nursing facilities, personal care homes and assisted living residences. In the 2019-2020 session, similar legislation passed the House unanimously as HB 2792. Medical directors, physicians who oversee the clinical care provided in a post-acute/long-term care setting, are more engaged than ever before. However, Pennsylvania does not maintain a registry of this crucial leadership role in long-term care, making it more difficult for state public health agencies to identify this physician resource. Therefore, my legislation will require the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish and maintain a registry of medical directors. The registry may then be utilized by DOH and DHS to obtain current information and best resident care practices. Long-term care facilities will also have access to the registry. Given the increasing aging population in Pennsylvania, the registry would prove beneficial by establishing improved communication channels between long-term care leadership and public health agencies, creating educational opportunities for attending physicians and nurse practitioners/physician assistants, and fostering better health outcomes in our nursing facilities. We welcome you to join us as a cosponsor of this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB1931