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| Date: | March 16, 2012 | | Contact Name: | Libbie Krueger | | Contact Phone: | 651.296.1388 | | Contact Email: | elizabeth.krueger@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| NIENOW BILL REQUIRING HOSPITALS TO REPORT MEDICAL FUTILITY POLICIES PASSES UNANIMOUSLY FROM COMMITTEE SEN. SEAN NIENOW’S BILL TO REQUIRE FULL DISCLOSURE OF MEDICAL TREATMENT WITHHOLDING POLICIES |
ST. PAUL) – The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services took up Senate File 2238, a bill requiring hospitals to disclose their futility policies to the guardians of patients under the age of eighteen. After hearing testimony and discussing the bill, members of the committee passed the bill unanimously. Senator Sean Nienow (R-Cambridge), chief author of the bill, gave the following statement regarding Friday’s hearing.
“I’m pleased that members of the Health and Human Services committee today voted in support of parents with children who are fighting for their lives. Many hospitals have pre-established policies that sometimes discourage parents from choosing to allow their child to fight for his or her life. As I told the committee, I believe parents deserve to know the level of care that a medical facility is willing to provide for their child,” said Senator Nienow.
Senate File 2238 requires hospitals to report any policy they establish regarding medical futility to the parents of minor patients and to the commissioner of the Department of Health. A “futility policy” is the practice of withholding or encouraging to withhold the medical treatment on the grounds that such treatment is a waste of medical resources. Many hospitals have established futility policies that pre-determine care for patients with life-threatening injuries or illnesses.
With the committee’s unanimous approval, the bill will now head to the Senate floor for a vote.
“Our children are our most precious and vulnerable citizens. Hospitals providing care for them should be open and upfront with information regarding possible futility policies. I hope to earn the support of my colleagues in the Senate when this vote comes to the floor,” concluded Senator Nienow.
Representative Bob Barrett (R-Shafer) is sponsoring the companion bill in the House (HF 2797). It has been introduced and is awaiting a committee hearing.
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