LRB-5077/1
SWB:amn&wlj
2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
November 21, 2023 - Introduced by Senators James, Cabral-Guevara, Wanggaard
and Spreitzer, cosponsored by Representatives Snyder, Armstrong, Brooks,
Dittrich, Jacobson, Moses, Mursau, O'Connor, Ortiz-Velez, Sinicki,
Steffen and Gundrum. Referred to Committee on Government Operations.
SB703,1,2 1An Act to create 15.197 (22m) and 146.695 of the statutes; relating to:
2establishing a Palliative Care Council.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill establishes within the Department of Health Services a Palliative
Care Council, which includes as members a statewide group of medical and clinical
professionals with expertise in the provision of palliative care services, as well as
patients or family members of patients who have experience receiving palliative care
services, to advise DHS about palliative care issues.
The bill requires the council to consult with and advise DHS regarding 1)
outcome evaluation of established palliative care programs; 2) the economic and
quality of life effectiveness of palliative care that is provided along with curative
treatment; 3) the mechanisms for and adequacy of reimbursement for palliative care
services; and 4) any other issues relating to palliative care arising through meetings
or discussions, as the council determines appropriate. The bill provides that the
council may not consult with or advise DHS on physician-assisted suicide,
euthanasia, medical aid in dying, or any other act that would condone, authorize,
approve, or permit any affirmative or deliberate act to end life other than the
withholding or withdrawing of health care under an advance directive or power of
attorney for health care so as to permit the natural process of dying. Under the bill,
DHS must, in consultation with the council, establish a statewide palliative care
consumer and professional information and education program to ensure that
comprehensive and accurate information and education about palliative care are
available to the public, health care providers, and health care facilities. The bill

provides that DHS must make certain information and resources regarding
palliative care available on its website. Under the bill, the council must submit
reports to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature providing its
analysis on the issues of access to palliative care and the impact of palliative care on
health care delivery systems in this state and on families that have experience with
palliative care services.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB703,1 1Section 1. 15.197 (22m) of the statutes is created to read:
SB703,2,42 15.197 (22m) Palliative care council. (a) In this subsection,
3“community-based palliative care program” means a program in which care is
4provided in a patient's home or place of residence.
SB703,2,85 (b) There is created in the department of health services a palliative care
6council. The council shall consist of not more than 22 members appointed, except as
7otherwise provided in this paragraph, by the secretary of health services to serve for
83-year terms, including all of the following:
SB703,2,109 1. Five physician members, 3 of whom are palliative care physicians and 2 of
10whom are primary care physicians.
SB703,2,1511 2. Four advanced practice nurse prescribers certified under s. 441.16 (2) and
12certified in palliative care. Two shall have provided direct patient care in a
13community-based palliative care program for at least 2 of the last 5 years. Two shall
14have provided direct patient care in a hospital-based palliative care program for at
15least 2 of the last 5 years.
SB703,2,1716 3. Three health care professionals, including a nurse, a social worker, and a
17spiritual care professional.
SB703,3,2
14. Two patients or family members of patients who have experience receiving
2palliative care services.
SB703,3,43 5. Two nonclinical health care leaders with experience operating
4community-based palliative care programs.
SB703,3,65 6. One representative from a health care insurance company who has
6experience making decisions about reimbursement for palliative care services.
SB703,3,87 7. One representative from the department of health services who works on
8issues relating to aging and long-term care.
SB703,3,109 8. One representative to the assembly appointed by the speaker of the
10assembly.
SB703,3,1211 9. One representative to the assembly appointed by the minority leader of the
12assembly.
SB703,3,1313 10. One senator appointed by the president of the senate.
SB703,3,1414 11. One senator appointed by the minority leader of the senate.
SB703,3,1615 (c) A person appointed under par. (b) 1. to 7. may not serve more than 2
16consecutive terms on the council.
SB703,3,2017 (d) Any member of the council appointed under par. (b) 1. to 7. who meets the
18required qualifications for more than one category of appointees may be appointed
19to serve as a member fulfilling the requirements for a council member in some or all
20of those categories, as determined by the secretary of health services.
SB703,3,2121 (e) The council shall meet at least twice each year.
SB703,4,222 (f) When possible, the council shall seek and the secretary shall appoint
23members who represent the various geographic areas of the state and ensure
24statewide representation on the council. The council shall, as often as possible, hold

1its meetings in different geographic areas of the state, both rural and urban, to better
2learn about and aid in palliative care access and quality in all communities.
SB703,2 3Section 2. 146.695 of the statutes is created to read:
SB703,4,5 4146.695 Palliative care. (1) In this section, “council” means the palliative
5care council.
SB703,4,7 6(2) (a) The council shall consult with and advise the department on all of the
7following:
SB703,4,88 1. Outcome evaluation of established palliative care programs.
SB703,4,109 2. The economic and quality of life effectiveness of palliative care that is
10provided along with curative treatment.
SB703,4,1211 3. The mechanisms for and adequacy of reimbursement for palliative care
12services.
SB703,4,1413 4. Any other issues relating to palliative care arising through meetings or
14discussions, as the council determines appropriate.
SB703,4,2015 (b) The council may not consult with or advise the department on
16physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, medical aid in dying, or any other act that
17would condone, authorize, approve, or permit any affirmative or deliberate act to end
18life other than the withholding or withdrawing of health care under an advance
19directive or power of attorney for health care so as to permit the natural process of
20dying.
SB703,4,25 21(3) The department shall, in consultation with the council, subject to the
22limitations in sub. (2) (b), establish a statewide palliative care consumer and
23professional information and education program to ensure that comprehensive and
24accurate information and education about palliative care are available to the public,
25health care providers, and health care facilities.
SB703,5,3
1(4) The department shall make available electronically on its website
2information and resources regarding palliative care, including all of the following
3items:
SB703,5,44 (a) Links to external resources regarding palliative care.
SB703,5,55 (b) Continuing education opportunities for health care providers.
SB703,5,66 (c) Information about palliative care programs.
SB703,5,77 (d) Consumer educational materials regarding palliative care.
SB703,5,12 8(5) One year after the first meeting of the council, then on the 3rd January 1
9after the first meeting of the council, and thereafter biennially no later than January
101, the council shall submit a report to the appropriate standing committees of the
11legislature under s. 13.172 (3) providing the council's analysis on the following
12issues:
SB703,5,1313 (a) Access to palliative care.
SB703,5,1514 (b) The impact of palliative care on health care delivery systems in this state
15and on families that have experience with palliative care services.
SB703,5,17 16(6) Nothing in this section may be construed to create a cause of action or create
17a standard of care, obligation, or duty that provides a basis for a cause of action.
SB703,5,1818 (End)
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