A family is celebrating legislation signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo that will help ensure discharged hospital patients receive certain needed care.
Dream's Law is named for 15-year-old Dream Shepherd. At age 11, Shepherd received a central venous line, or CVL, as part of treatment for sickle cell disease after a stem cell transplant.
A CVL is a tube that docuts place in a large vein to give fluids, blood or medications, or to quickly perform medical tests. The CDC says says the long, flexible catheters empty out in or near the heart — providing extremely quick, needed treatment.
Patients with CVLs need post-hospitalization care. Shepard's mother was forced to care for her daughter's CVL without medical training because her insurance company said her request for a skilled caretaker was unnecessary.
Dream's Law will now ensure access to required treatment for all patients who need it post-hospitalization.