Healthcare

This bill (A 565) prohibits the establishment of new for-profit hospices and bans capacity increases for existing for-profit hospices. It applies to all approvals after the law takes effect, directly affecting for-profit hospice providers and their expansion plans. The law requires new hospice facilities to operate as non-profits and prevents existing for-profit hospices from growing their services. This represents a concrete change in healthcare regulation, restricting for-profit models in hospice care.

This bill modernizes podiatry practice by expanding podiatrists' scope to include specific ankle surgical procedures. It allows podiatrists with "standard" or "advanced" ankle surgery privileges to perform defined treatments like ankle fracture fixation, fusion, and arthroscopy, while clarifying anatomical boundaries (e.g., procedures limited to the ankle joint and below the tibial tuberosity). The bill creates a new "limited permit" for podiatrists to train under supervision for advanced surgery qualifications. It directly affects licensed podiatrists seeking expanded surgical authority and patients requiring ankle care, without altering broader medical practice rules. The changes require department-issued privileges and specify exact surgical capabilities within defined anatomical limits.

Provides that maternal health care facilities are not required to grant doula access during emergencies or when such access could compromise the safety of the patient or health care team.

Provides that maternal health care facilities are not required to grant doula access during emergencies or when such access could compromise the safety of the patient or health care team.