Dream’s Law Is Signed By The Governor Today

Albany, NY  –  Today, Dream's Law (S.474/ A.212 ), sponsored by Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) and Assemblywoman Sandy Galef (D-Ossining) was signed into law by Governor Cuomo. 

Now thousands of New Yorkers who require a Central Venous Line will have proper access to a home healthcare service upon discharge from the hospital. 

Senator David Carlucci said, "Thank you to Dream and her mother, Diana for not giving up on this fight. I am so proud to have gotten this important bill across the finish line. Now thousands of New Yorkers will not face the impossible situation Dream and her mother were left in, and patients with a central venous line will get the experienced care they need upon discharge. Thank you, Governor Cuomo, for signing this healthcare reform into law."   

Assemblymember Sandy Galef said, "With this new law, patients discharged from a hospital with a central venous line or other serious health needs will have access to a qualified medical caregiver. Prior to this bill's passage patients with a central venous line, which requires careful medical attention, were being discharged without access to adequate medical assistance. This law ensures that these patients get the best care possible."  

14-year-old Dream Shepherd inspired the legislation and lobbied with her mother, Diana Lemon for its passage. Dream had to get a central venous line following a stem cell transplant to save her life in December of 2014. Shepard who had been battling Sickle Cell Disease since birth had previously had a stroke at 5-years-old due to the disease. Upon discharge from the hospital, Diana was informed that the insurance company would not cover a nurse to care for her daughter's central venous line because they deemed it not medically necessary. 

Diana could not afford a caretaker and did not have the proper medical knowledge to care for her daughter. Infection is common with central venous lines, and in Dream's case the line went directly to her heart. 

To prevent this scary situation from happening to other families leaving the hospital, Diana and Dream made it their mission to work with Carlucci and Galef to get Dream's Law signed into law.