In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida lawmakers are trying to ensure that families are not separated because of strict nursing home visitation policies.
A new bill making its way through the Florida legislature would direct health-care providers to allow patients or residents to have visitors even during health crises.
The Senate Health Policy Committee unanimously approved the bill (SB 988), sponsored by Sen. Ileana Garcia and dubbed the “No Patient Left Alone Act.”
If access needs to be restricted for health or safety concerns, the providers would have to “develop alternate visitation protocols that allow visitation to the greatest extent possible while maintaining client health and safety.”
The proposal also would require in-person visits in certain circumstances, such as end-of-life situations; times when patients or residents are grieving deaths of friends or family members; and situations when patients or residents need encouragement to eat or drink and are experiencing weight loss or dehydration.