Please Sign the Petition to Support NY Senate Open Legislation (S2185) to amend current Public Health Law and require hospitals to include an evaluation for treatment in a state certified acute rehabilitation unit, in regard to discharge planning for brain insult patients.‏

Your urgent help is needed to get the bill passed and raise awareness that individuals with a brain injury need aggressive treatment and rehabilitation in an Acute Setting or Coma Stimulation program.  These individuals do NOT belong in nursing homes (sub acute setting). 

 On September 30^th, 2009, Steven Pepe a 36 year old man who grew up in Levittown suffered an hypoxic brain injury. He is considered to be in a minimally conscious state and is in need of aggressive treatment.  Three months ago the family was told their only options were to place Steven in a nursing home or hospice where they would withdraw care until he passes away.  There are facilities in New York that treat Steven’s condition. He is now in a hospital on Long Island and waiting to be transferred to a facility that can provide aggressive treatment and stimulation programs. He is already making significant progress.  His insurance company is denying him to go to an Acute Rehabilitation Center and will only send him to a sub acute facility (nursing home) despite what his Neurologists think.  

 The bill is up for review on Feb 13, 2010 by the Senators listed below.  Your voice will be even more effective if you call or email them with your opinion:

·        Sen. Owen H. Johnson in South Amityville

             (631) 669-9200 or email: ojohnson@senate.state.ny.us

·        Sen. Charles J. Fuschillo, who sits on the Health Committee that will review the bill. 

      (516) 882-0630 or email: fuschill@senate.state.ny.us

     (he is also on Facebook)

·        Sen. Tom Duane who is the chairman of the Health Committee

(212)  633-8052 or email:duane@senate.state.ny.us

 For more information about bill S2185, please go to http://open.nysenate.gov/openleg/api/1.0/html/bill/S2185

Thank you for your support.

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