The Texas House of Representatives recently approved a bill to protect patients in hospitals.
Hospitals can currently stop life-sustaining treatment against a patient’s wishes. House Bill 3162, led by Chairwoman Stephanie Klick (R – Fort Worth), aims to give patients and families more control.
HB 3162 makes changes to the Texas Advance Directives Act. It addresses concerns about the 10-Day Rule. Representative Klick’s bill includes:
- Hospitals must help patients get to another hospital before the 10-day countdown starts.
Patients can’t be forced to make decisions based on their “quality of life.” - Families get more notice of ethics committee meetings and more time to arrange for transfers.
- Dr. John Seago, President of Texas Right to Life, said the 10-Day Rule has a big impact and that the proposed changes would help many families. He gave examples of past cases, like Tinslee Lewis (who is now 4-years-old and home with her family), Chris Dunn, and Carolyn Jones, to show why reform is needed.
Texas Right to Life has been advocating for changes to the 10-Day Rule for two decades. Representative Klick led negotiations with various groups, including Texas Right to Life, during this legislative session. While HB 3162 has made progress, it still needs approval by the Senate before the legislative session ends on May 29. Texas Right to Life will keep urging lawmakers to protect vulnerable patients.