Assemblymember Harry Bronson (D-Rochester/Chili/Henrietta) announced that the Assembly has passed legislation, which he sponsored, that will promote better patient outcomes with the proper training of caregivers by medical staff before patient discharge.

The Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable (CARE) Act (Assembly bill, A.1323) will require a hospital to allow a patient an opportunity to designate a caregiver in the patient's medical record. The hospital will then notify and offer to meet with the designated caregiver to discuss the patient's plan of care prior to the patient's discharge or transfer to another facility. Additionally, the hospital will offer to adequately train the designated caregiver in certain after-care tasks upon a patient's discharge to his or her current residence.

“Across our state, New Yorkers are increasingly providing care at home for loved ones,” said Assemblymember Bronson. “Whether it’s caring for an elderly parent or a sick neighbor, those who serve as caregivers deserve all the support and assistance we can provide. The CARE Act will help the aging population of New Yorkers live comfortably in their homes.” This legislation will help the patient by helping their caregiver. It will reduce medical readmissions and help lower the cost of those readmissions.”

This legislation has been passed by the Senate and will head to the Governor for his consideration.