Texas Senate Bill SB1381

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to advance directives and health care and treatment decisions.

Impact

The enactment of SB1381 would significantly influence how healthcare facilities and medical professionals interpret and implement advance directives. It establishes stricter protocols for cases where a physician believes a treatment might be inappropriate, mandating that any refusal of life-sustaining treatment be subjected to review by an ethics or medical committee. This procedural requirement is intended to ensure that patient directives are not dismissed lightly and reflects a growing recognition of the importance of patient autonomy in healthcare decisions.

Summary

Senate Bill 1381 addresses advance directives and decisions regarding health care and treatment within the State of Texas. This bill amends various sections of the Health and Safety Code, particularly focusing on enhancing the rights of patients regarding life-sustaining treatment. One of the central tenets of the bill is to prohibit physicians and healthcare facilities from overriding a patient's advance directive based on biases against elderly, disabled, or terminally ill patients. It emphasizes that all treatment decisions should consider the patient's values and desires, ensuring that their wishes are honored without discrimination based on age or medical condition.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB1381 involve concerns about potential conflicts between medical judgment and patient autonomy. While advocates for the bill argue it protects vulnerable populations from biased treatment decisions, opponents raise questions about the feasibility and implications of mandating life-sustaining treatments in cases deemed medically inappropriate. The bill introduces complex layers of review that may slow decision-making processes in critical care situations, and there are concerns about the administrative burdens placed on healthcare facilities required to comply with the new review protocols.