Galef Commends the Assembly's Unanimous Passage of A.5514-C

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, 95th Assembly District, is pleased to announce the recent passage of Assembly Bill 5514-C, affectionately referred to as “Dream’s Law”, which relates to the discharge planning of patients going home with a central venous line.

This legislation originated from the compelling story of Dream Shephard, a 12-year-old girl who has fearlessly battled Sickle Cell Disease, and suffered a stroke at the age of five. She was part of a study in December 2014, where she received a stem cell transplant as part of her treatment plan. After the transplant, for several months, doctors worked tirelessly to stabilize her immune system, which was vital to the success of Dream’s transplant, and necessary for her eventual discharge. While in the hospital, the Central Venous Line (CVL) that was placed into Dream’s heart was cared for by a Registered Nurse as required by New York State Law. However, once Dream was finally discharged from the hospital, her mom was given strict care instructions, and told that she must take on this responsibility by herself. Due to her lack of medical knowledge and the skills required to care for and administer medications through the CVL, her option upon discharge was to fight for a caregiver to oversee this important procedure. It should be noted that while it is easy to confuse a Central Venous Line with Intravenous Therapy (IV), they are different in how they function and who they benefit. Central Venous Lines are frequently used in major medical procedures such as transplant surgeries, chemotherapy and dialysis while intravenous therapy is more common overall. Under this legislation, consultations with caregivers will be provided twenty-four hours prior to discharge at which time the caregiver will be shown how to administer medications through the CVL, and how to properly care for the line in order to minimize the chance for infection. If a caregiver is unwilling or unable to confidently provide this care, then the appropriate services will be ordered as part of the patients discharge plans. “I’m so thankful that the NYS Assembly proactively made this bipartisan bill a priority and unanimously voted in favor of “Dream’s Law” that would help thousands of families with central lines, especially critically ill children recovering from transplants.” Said Diana Lemon, mother of Dream Shephard. “It’s my hope that this would encourage the Senate Health Committee to move with the same momentum.”

“No one who is lucky enough to receive a life-saving transplant, like Dream should be sent home without the proper care, said Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester), sponsor of identical legislation (Senate Bill 1165-B). This bill will ensure a caregiver knows what’s involved with a central venous line and puts patients first. I thank Assemblywoman Galef for her leadership on this issue and will be working to pass this bill in the Senate.”

“Often, patients with Central Venous Lines have been in the hospital for an extended length of time. When given the news that they will soon be able go home, they feel excited. We cannot allow that excitement to be shattered with the expectation that all caregivers possess the confidence and ability to carry out procedures that are only performed by a Registered Nurse while the patient is in the hospital,” stated Galef. “It is important that an identified caregiver receives a thorough consultation, and that they have the opportunity to accept the task presented to them, or request that appropriate services be provided. I am happy that Dream was able to eventually receive the help she required, and I know this legislation will make it easier for patients in similar situations in the future.”