Relating to advance directives and health care and treatment decisions.
Impact
The primary impact of SB303 is on the procedures involving do-not-attempt-resuscitation (DNAR) orders. The bill mandates that upon admission to a healthcare facility, patients or their surrogates must be informed about the facility's policies regarding DNAR orders. If a physician intends to place such an order, they must first notify the patient or the surrogate, thereby reinforcing patient autonomy and informed consent. Furthermore, it seeks to streamline the process for resolving disagreements about treatment decisions, ensuring that patients have avenues for recourse if they feel their wishes are not respected.
Summary
SB303 addresses the complexities surrounding advance directives and health care treatment decisions in Texas. The bill makes significant amendments to the Health and Safety Code, particularly Section 166, clarifying the definitions and regulations surrounding life-sustaining treatments and the authority of surrogates in health care decisions. It emphasizes the importance of a clear communication process between health care facilities, patients, and their surrogates, ensuring that everyone involved is aware of patients' rights regarding their medical care in critical situations.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding SB303 include the provisions that allow an ethics committee to review treatment disagreements, which some may view as a potential obstacle to immediate patient care. The stipulation that life-sustaining treatment must be provided until a transfer to another provider is arranged could also spark debate. While proponents argue that these measures safeguard patient's rights and ensure thorough consideration of ethical dilemmas, opponents might raise concerns about delays in care and the implications of having treatment decisions scrutinized by an ethics committee, which could conflict with the wishes of the patient and their families.
Relating to advance directives and health care treatment decisions made by or on behalf of patients, including a review of those directives and decisions.
Relating to advance directives and health care treatment decisions made by or on behalf of patients, including a review of those directives and decisions.
Relating to advance directives, do-not-resuscitate orders, and health care treatment decisions made by or on behalf of certain patients, including a review of directives and decisions.
Relating to health care practitioner authority regarding certain do-not-resuscitate orders, including the use of electronic copies and photographs of out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate orders.
Relating to prohibitions on the provision to certain children of procedures and treatments for gender transitioning, gender reassignment, or gender dysphoria and on the use of public money or public assistance to provide those procedures and treatments.
Relating to advance directives, do-not-resuscitate orders, and health care treatment decisions made by or on behalf of certain patients, including a review of directives and decisions.
Relating to advance directives and health care treatment decisions made by or on behalf of patients, including a review of those directives and decisions.