Florida House Bill H0219

Florida 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 10/18/23
• Refer: 11/2/23
• Failed: 3/8/24

Caption

Patient-directed Doctor's Orders

Impact

The proposed bill significantly alters Florida's approach to advance directives related to end-of-life care. It aims to streamline the execution and recognition of PDDO forms, ensuring that patients' wishes are respected without the fear of legal repercussions for healthcare providers. Under this law, healthcare workers will gain immunity from criminal prosecution or civil liability for following the directives outlined in a PDDO. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the importance of voluntary patient consent and prohibits PDDO forms from being a condition for treatment or admission to healthcare facilities.

Summary

House Bill 219 proposes the establishment of a Patient-Directed Doctor's Order (PDDO) process, which allows patients to communicate their preferences regarding resuscitation and other life-sustaining measures. The bill aims to amend existing statutes to offer explicit authorization for various healthcare personnel, including emergency responders and hospice staff, to withhold or withdraw cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if provided with a properly executed PDDO form. By implementing this bill, the legislature seeks to empower patients in making healthcare choices aligned with their values and preferences.

Contention

Despite its intentions, HB 219 may face scrutiny and debate regarding the implications of limiting treatment options at the end of life. Some critics may argue that granting healthcare personnel the authority to withhold life-sustaining treatment based on a PDDO form could undermine the sanctity of life or lead to ethical dilemmas. Others may express concern about the potential for coercion or misunderstanding of patients' true wishes, particularly among vulnerable populations or those with diminished capacity to express their desires. Ensuring that the process of creating, executing, and revoking PDDO forms is clear and transparent will be crucial to addressing these concerns.