No Patient Left Alone Act of 2023

Bill 118 hr 219, also known as the No Patient Left Alone Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main purpose of this bill is to ensure that patients in hospitals and other healthcare facilities have the right to designate a support person who can be present with them during their stay.

The bill states that healthcare facilities must allow patients to designate a support person who can be present for emotional support, assistance with communication, and help with decision-making. This support person can be a family member, friend, or other individual chosen by the patient.

The No Patient Left Alone Act also requires healthcare facilities to develop policies and procedures for allowing support persons to be present, even during times of restricted visitation such as during a pandemic or other public health emergency. These policies must ensure that support persons are able to safely visit patients while following all necessary health and safety protocols. Additionally, the bill prohibits healthcare facilities from denying visitation rights to support persons based on factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. It also requires facilities to provide training to staff on the importance of supporting patients' emotional well-being and the rights of support persons. Overall, the No Patient Left Alone Act of 2023 aims to prioritize the emotional well-being and support of patients by ensuring that they have the right to have a designated support person present with them during their time in healthcare facilities.