P.R. Laws tit. 24, § 421
Both, a correct diagnosis and treatment of the highest quality are essential for a patient to recover, as well as to increase his/her life expectancy. It shall be the public policy of the Government of Puerto Rico to promote cancer treatment of the highest quality, and thus reduce cancer mortality, by complying with the following policies:
(a) To increase the access and quality of the information related to diagnosis and treatment that is available to patients and their relatives. This information shall include, but not be limited to a directory of health facilities, clinics, and health care providers that offer cancer treatment according to the geographical region and the type of tumor for which they provide treatment. The information shall be written in a simple and easy to understand language for the general population.
(b) To promote any evidence-based mechanisms to reduce the length of time that elapses from the moment the patient learns about the results of the diagnosis to when he/she receives treatment.
(c) To collaborate with the Comprehensive Cancer Control Center of the University of Puerto Rico in the implementation of the public policy that said center is required to draft under its enabling Act.
(d) To ensure that every cancer patient receives the best available treatment; this means that such treatment must be evidence-based, have patient recovery as its main purpose, be responsive to such patient’s needs, and allow for well-informed decision-making.
(e) To promote and collaborate so that treatment hospitals and centers obtain the certification and accreditation from the pertinent local and federal agencies in order to be classified as specialized institutions in cancer treatment.
(f) To foster any evidence-based mechanisms to improve patient navigation between different specialized physicians and medical institutions.
(g) To promote the participation of cancer patients in clinical trials through direct information to the patient, by encouraging health professionals to suggest it to their patients, by increasing health coverage for these trials in health insurance and health plans, and by providing for the creation of a favorable research environment for this type of activity in Puerto Rico.
(h) To ensure adequate planning throughout the Island in order to achieve a coordinated and comprehensive cancer treatment system.
History —Apr. 8, 2011, No. 49, § 5.3.