Iowa House Bill HF2577

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/19/24

Caption

A bill for an act relating to end-of-life care under guardianships of adults.(Formerly HSB 660.)

Impact

By establishing clear guidelines for guardians in making end-of-life decisions, HF2577 seeks to balance the need for timely healthcare interventions with the rights of individuals under guardianship. It mandates that guardians must engage in meaningful conversations with those they represent about such decisions and consult with the attending physician to ensure informed choices are being made. The bill further stipulates that, in cases where the protected person cannot engage meaningfully, guardians are permitted to consult family members or significant others before making decisions.

Summary

House File 2577 (HF2577) addresses end-of-life care decisions made by guardians of adults. The bill aims to clarify the responsibilities and limitations of guardians in relation to making critical healthcare decisions on behalf of individuals under guardianship. Specifically, it allows guardians to make decisions about hospice and palliative care, as well as to execute or revoke do-not-resuscitate or do-not-intubate orders, but with stipulations regarding consultation with the protected person and their physician.

Contention

Notably, HF2577 restricts a guardian's ability to withdraw life-sustaining procedures without a court order, except in cases of terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less. This provision has the potential to spark debate regarding the autonomy of guardians versus the rights of the protected individuals. Advocates for the bill argue that it reinforces the importance of consultation and consent, while critics may contend that the requirement for court approval could delay necessary end-of-life care decisions, complicating the already challenging process for both guardians and those they care for.