The Proposal
HB 2984-Advancing directives/health/treatment decisions made by or on behave of patients.
Description of the legislation
The following legislation was introduced on March 18, 2015, and referred to the House State Affairs at the same date. The legislation aims at protecting the lives of patients and their families during circumstances demanding their voices on choosing or rejecting life-sustaining treatments. The act allows a patient to undergo life-sustaining medical treatment to prevent suffering or death while waiting for a transfer letter from another willing Hospital (Texas Council on Developmental Disabilities, 2015). The legislation, also referred to as “treatment pending transfer” plays a great role in the delivery of care for critically ill patients especially those coming from low-profile families or those facing health disparities. Additionally, the Act will allow physicians to respect the directive or decision by the patient or the family to receive care at the hospital; therefore, reducing suffering endured by the patient while waiting for replies from other hospitals willing to comply.
On the other hand, the legislation helps reduce the cost of healthcare associated with transferring the patient from one hospital to the other. Patients suffering from health disparities associated with race/ethnic discrimination or poor socioeconomic backgrounds are denied their rights especially when it comes to making decisions regarding the delivery of care. The passing of the legislation will ensure such patients enjoy their medical rights and privileges by ensuring the physician recommend only life-sustaining treatment that the patient or the family recommends.
Identified official
The House of Representatives official, Bryan Hughes will be contacted to advocate for the legislation. The selected person has a lot of potential in influencing the outcome of the legislation because he authored the Bill himself. Second, He comes from Mineola District in Texas and understands suffering and health concerns of the people he represents in the House. Finally, he chairs the House Judiciary Committee with the duty of organizing legislative leaders representing rural Texas to address needs and problems facing and ensuring representation of rural communities at the State and government levels.
Reference
Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities. (2015, July 28). Health Care Bill Tracking.
Telicon Report. Retrieved 17 July 2016 from http://tcdd.texas.gov/public-policy/legislative-bill-tracking/bill-track-health/
