Texas Senate Bill SB2355

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to conflicts of interest and discrimination policies for an ethics or medical committee review of an advance directive.

Impact

The legislation addresses the critical issue of financial and professional biases that can influence medical decisions. By requiring health care facilities to evaluate and implement these policies by April 1, 2020, the bill encourages a more ethical approach to patient evaluations. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of non-discrimination by stipulating that a patient's permanent physical or mental disability should not affect the review process unless directly relevant to the medical decisions at hand. This change is poised to strengthen protections for patients in vulnerable situations.

Summary

Senate Bill 2355, titled 'Relating to conflicts of interest and discrimination policies for an ethics or medical committee review of an advance directive,' introduces significant amendments to Chapter 166 of the Health and Safety Code in Texas. The bill mandates that all health care facilities involved in ethics or medical committee reviews establish and implement specific policies aimed at preventing conflicts of interest. These policies are crucial for maintaining objectivity during reviews of advance directives, thereby protecting the integrity of the decision-making process concerning patient care.

Contention

While the bill's intent is to enhance ethical standards within health care reviews, concerns may arise regarding its implementation and the actual effectiveness of the required policies. Critics may argue that merely having policies in place does not guarantee compliance or prevent underlying biases from influencing outcomes. Furthermore, the provision that limits consideration of disabilities in reviews could raise questions about the actual standards of care being applied and whether this could inadvertently lead to disparities in treatment options for disabled individuals.