Minnesota House Bill HF1810

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/3/25
• Refer: 3/3/25

Caption

Commissioner of health required to establish a provider orders for life-sustaining treatment program, rulemaking authorized, data classified, immunity established for certain acts, and money appropriated.

Impact

The POLST program, once implemented, will introduce a standardized process by which patients can document their preferences regarding life-sustaining treatments, which is anticipated to improve the quality of care and reduce unnecessary interventions. This legislative initiative emphasizes the importance of honoring patient choices, thus significantly altering current healthcare practices concerning end-of-life decisions. The establishment of the POLST registry will also facilitate improved communication among healthcare providers, ensuring that patients' preferences are readily accessible during emergencies.

Summary

House File 1810, titled the 'Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment Program Act,' establishes a statewide POLST program in Minnesota aimed at ensuring the medical treatment preferences of patients nearing the end of their lives are respected. The act mandates that the commissioner of health create and maintain a POLST registry, enabling healthcare providers to make informed decisions regarding life-sustaining treatments based on the patients' wishes. This legislation reflects an increasing recognition of patient autonomy and the need for clear medical directives at critical healthcare junctures.

Contention

Despite its potential benefits, the bill has sparked discussions regarding data privacy, as it involves the collection and sharing of sensitive information about patients’ healthcare choices. There are concerns about how this data will be handled, especially regarding its classification as private and the potential implications for civil or administrative actions. Moreover, the autonomy of patients in making choices about POLSTs is underscored, ensuring they are not mandated to have a POLST and can revoke it at any time. Observers highlight the need for careful consideration of these privacy concerns while balancing the goal of enhancing patient care.