Thursday, July 23, 2009

Patient-Protection Bill Introduced

Three Shore area legislators who intervened on behalf of the family of a 29-year-old woman who weighed 43 pounds when she died at a community care residence last November have introduced legislation to protect other people in the state human services system.

Flanked by relatives of the late Tara O'Leary, State Sen. Jennifer Beck, Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande and Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon announced the introduction of legislation which, if passed, would provide greater oversight and protection for patients. It includes establishing a 24-hour hotline to report suspected abuse and would create a registry of caseworkers and caregivers found guilty of neglecting or abusing patients and prohibit them from working in that field again.

Full Article and Source:
Patient-protection bill introduced after malnourished woman's death

See also:
Family Wants Answers

Death Prompts Investigation

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Any protection for the vulnerable is welcome.

helensniece said...

"....a registry of caseworkers and caregivers found guilty of neglecting or abusing patients and prohibit them from working in that field again."

I am stunned that this is not being done now.

Tara O'Leary weighed only 43 pounds at the time of her death? This place sounds worse than a Nazi concentration camp that was being financially compensated for this unspeakable neglect.

This is criminal, these people who are involved and those who knew about the conditions need to be prosecuted without mercy.

Anonymous said...

43 pounds and 29 years old? That makes me sick.

Yes, I agree, Anonymous. Any protection for the vulnerable is welcome.

Anonymous said...

This is well intentioned, I'm sure. But, here's the problem with 24 hour hotlines....call one and you'll find out they mostly dismiss your complaint.

Anonymous said...

One way to protect patients is to lift the cap on the amount people can sue for in regard to malpractice.

The doctors (etc.) all say no limits would run them out of business; but I say no limits would make them pay closer attention!