Oral

This interdisciplinary panel presentation and discussion aim to explore the major points of consensus and disagreement in weighing rights to choose palliative and end-of-life options at the end of life. In New York, a recently enacted law creates a right to palliative care for patients with terminal illness, and mandates that attending health care practitioners offer to provide information and counseling to such patients. A second New York Law that became effective in September 2011 expands this mandate by imposing obligations on health facilities to write policies and procedures to increase access to palliative care services and consultations for patients with advanced, life-limiting illness. These laws are models for the nation, and are similar to steps taken in California.

Session Objectives: 1. Identify the major points of consensus and disagreement in weighing rights to choose palliative and end-of-life options at the end of life. 2. Discuss the core legal, social, cultural and ethical issues that drive debate about end-of-life options.