Texas House Bill HB152

Texas 2017 - 85th 1st C.S.

Caption

Relating to advance directives or health care or treatment decisions made by or on behalf of patients.

Impact

The legislation aims to solidify the rights of patients in Texas by preventing healthcare providers from overriding patients' wishes regarding their treatment. This amendment means that patients will not be left without life-sustaining treatment while waiting for transfer to a compliant healthcare provider. The bill serves to protect vulnerable patients who may be in situations where their expressed wishes for care are not being honored, thereby reinforcing medical ethics and patient care standards.

Summary

House Bill 152, also known as the Texas Patient Autonomy Restoration Act of 2017, seeks to enhance patient autonomy regarding advance directives and health care decisions. The bill specifically amends provisions in the Advance Directives Act in the Texas Health and Safety Code, ensuring that patients and their families retain the right to make decisions about whether to receive life-sustaining treatment. A key provision mandates that if an attending physician refuses to comply with a patient's advance directive, life-sustaining treatment must continue until the patient can be transferred to a facility that will honor their decisions.

Contention

The bill has sparked significant debate, particularly among medical professionals and ethicists concerned about the implications for healthcare practice and the potential for conflicts between a physician's ethical obligations and patient autonomy. Opponents argue that the provision requiring continuation of life-sustaining treatment can strain healthcare resources and may lead to moral distress for physicians who may believe that certain treatments could be medically inappropriate. Thus, the bill is seen as a double-edged sword, promoting patient rights while challenging medical ethics and practice norms.