Governor Signs Into Law Health Care Proxy Bill

This Legislation, Sponsored by Senator Golden, would require certain state agencies to provide health care proxy information on their websites.

Brooklyn, NY – State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) today praised Governor Cuomo for signing S4422 into law. This legislation, sponsored by Senator Golden, would require certain state agencies to post health care proxy information on their websites. 

The New York Health Care Proxy Law allows you to appoint someone you trust — for example, a family member or close friend – to make health care decisions for you if you lose the ability to make decisions yourself. By appointing a health care agent, you can make sure that health care providers follow your wishes.

“I applaud the Governor and my colleagues in government for passing this vital piece of legislation. Having information regarding health care proxy’s readily available online is one step in bringing out healthcare system into the 21st Century,” said Senator Golden. “By requiring state agencies that have significant roles in the field of public health to provide a link on their website to health care proxy information will go a long way to ensure that the large majority of New York residents, that do not have a health care proxy, get one.” 

The bill, which was signed by Governor Cuomo yesterday, will go into effect on January 1, 2014.