Description of the official
Relation to the bill
Hughes demonstrated high levels of familiarity with the bill. As the author of the bill, Hughes contribution to the discussion played a positive role in understanding the legislation and allowing the meeting to run effectively.
Legislative Assistance
Caroline Harris
How the issue was conveyed in the meeting
I started the meeting by introducing myself to the official and explaining the purpose of the meeting. I then went ahead to describe the status of health in the U.S. and need for reforms that would allow patients access safe, quality, and cost-effective care at all times. The lack of advanced care practices aimed at protecting lives of patients has affected the health sector, especially among populations with health disparities. The bill "HB 2984-Advance directives/health/treatment decisions made by or on behave of the patient" would play a significant role in influencing a positive health outcome and protecting lives of many Americans. The following facts support the passing of the bill into law:
The bill will act as a way of creating reforms in the Texas health sector by ensuring the safety of patients across the County.
The bill gives the patient the right to treatment at any health organization especially in situations that require life-sustaining treatment
Physicians have a tendency of ignoring patients' advance directives regarding a treatment decision made by or on behalf of the patient. The bill plays a critical role in promoting health and safety of the patient by subjecting a physician to a disciplinary action through the ethics or medical committee upon refusal to act on the patient's advance directions.
On the other hand, many patients die while awaiting transfer to referred health care services to take care of their emergencies. The physician at the holding hospital may ignore any patient directive even if the patient needs life-sustaining treatment. The following bill protects the life of the patient under such circumstances by authorizing the physician to offer any necessary help including life-sustaining treatment to the patient pending transfer to the referred health facility.
Summary of the response
Hughes was very interested and congratulated me for analyzing the bill and presenting facts that the health care sector seemed to ignore. The official assured me of his total support for the bill. Hughes promised to support and vote for the bill in the House because he is the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee responsible for addressing issues affecting rural communities in the State of Texas. He understands every suffering that different populations undergo especially those related to access and delivery of safe care. Hughes argued that he was more sympathetic to these people and I would not like the health care sector to serve only a few who can afford the high cost of care at the expense of others suffering from health disparities.
On the other hand, Hughes promised to support the bill to act as an example for other officials who voted for the bill on the tribal, ethnic, and social-class basis. Hughes claimed he would not allow people in the rural community to suffer irrespective of their gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. He would campaign for the whole House to accept and pass the bill.
Ending the meeting
The meeting was successful and I was happy to find an official who would join me in advocating for change in the U.S. healthcare sector. Hughes thanked me for enlightening him more about the bill and making him understand he was not alone when it comes to caring for the rights of the less disadvantaged in the society.
Summary of Hughes’ demeanor
Interested in the topic
Very interactive and social
Committed to his position
He had prior knowledge of the bill through the experience as the author making it easier to navigate through questions.
