essential caregiver act passes

Some local ones, have fought very loudly and tirelessly for, over the past several months: the essential caregiver act.

It makes provisions for loved ones to be able to provide comfort care to family members in nursing homes- something that wasn't happening during the pandemic.

One very vocal advocate tells us this passage at the state level....is only the beginning.

Here's newschannel 2's joleen ferris.

Karla abraham conley's mother is always close to her heart.

Her mom died after spending several months in a nursing home, unable to see her family, who used to see her every day, before the pandemic.

But karla's advocacy for those in nursing homes and their families didn't stop.

Ralleys in albany...facebook groups that connect hundreds of people...constant contact with lawmakers... and now, her relentless pursuit has paid off .

None .

None 16:04 "i'm overjoyed.

It came a little too late for my family and myself, but it's here and nobody else has to die" those with loved ones in nursing homes during covid know bill s614b very well.

And now, the governor has signed it into law 15:35 "it does allow one to two essential caregivers to get in there and take care of their loved ones"...15:43 "so now we can feed them, we can help change them, we can socialize them.

It is a great step" the governor's recent executive order relaxed nursing home visitation criteria, allowing family to trickle in by appointment, which karla welcomes.

But she says the essential caregiver act is still needed 17:20 "so if another pandemic happens in a couple years from now, too bad.

We're still essential caregivers.

We're stillgettin' e executive order is for covid.

The essential caregiver bill encompasses all illnesses.

No more lockdown" and soon, she plans to take her fight to the federal level 24:06 "i've had members of congress reach out to me" 24:21 "this isn't just about new york.

New york suffered a lot but so did every ot her state across america jf, nc2 > coming up-- the