South Central PA News

Senator Doug Mastriano has introduced the No Patient Left Alone Act, aimed at ensuring that patients in Pennsylvania have the support of family, friends, or an advocate during medical treatment or end-of-life care.

"The medical community widely acknowledges that emotional support is just as critical as medical treatment. Yet, countless patients have been denied this basic right due to outdated policies, bureaucratic indifference and hospital regulations that fail to recognize the human cost of isolation," Mastriano stated.

Research indicates that elderly patients left alone in hospitals tend to experience quicker physical and cognitive decline. Isolation also increases the likelihood of severe anxiety, depression, and emotional distress among patients of all ages.

"Hospitals should be places of healing. However, for far too many, they have become places of loneliness, despair and unnecessary suffering," added Mastriano.

The proposed legislation guarantees patients the right to a support person during hospitalization, treatments, and end-of-life care. It emphasizes access for intensive care unit patients, the elderly, disabled individuals, and those in critical or long-term care settings.

Hospital and care facilities would need to establish safe visitation policies balancing patient needs with public health protocols.

"For too long, hospitals have placed policies over people, red tape over relationships and rules over basic human decency. The No Patient Left Alone Act is more than legislation; it’s a moral obligation," said Mastriano.

Similar laws have already been enacted in Florida, Texas, and Tennessee to ensure no patient is left without support from their government or healthcare system.

Contact information for further inquiries: Don Beishl at 717-787-6701.