Helping Texans prepare for end-of-life decisions is an important community service of Texas hospitals. Lack of objective public education about the laws and processes governing end-of-life choices and the importance of individuals making clear their own health care decisions result in public and legislative misperceptions. The Texas Hospital Association has produced a suite of products to help member hospitals understand and communicate on end-of-life issues. In addition, THA tracks related legislation and regulatory activity to keep members informed.
See THA’s SB-11 – Inpatient DNAR Orders Web page for additional information on a 2018 state law governing in-hospital do-not-attempt-resuscitation orders.
Legislation
2021 Legislative Session
Support
SB 1944/HB 3099 by Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville)/Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) – Relating to end-of-life issues and hospice care.
HB 2943 by Rep. James Frank (R-Wichita Falls) – Relating to revocation of do-not-resuscitate orders for patients admitted to a health care facility or hospital.
Oppose
SB 917/HB 2609 by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineloa)/Rep. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound) – Relating to advance directives or health care or treatment decisions made by or on behalf of patients.
2019 Legislative Session
Support:
SB 916 by Sen. Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas) – Relating to supportive palliative care.
Oppose:
SB 2089 by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineloa) – Relating to advance directives or health care or treatment decisions made by or on behalf of patients.
SB 2129 by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) – Relating to advance directives and health care and treatment decisions.
2017 Special Session
Oppose:
SB 11 by Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) – Relating to general procedures and requirements for certain do-not-resuscitate orders; creating a criminal offense.
Resources
Multi Association Statement on HB 3099 and HB 2609 (4/14/21)
Testimony for House Public Health in Support of HB 2943 (4/14/21) | THA, TMA
Multi Organization Statement on SB 1994 and SB 917 (4/12/21)
Testimony Supporting SB 1944 in Senate HHS (4/7/21) | THA, TMA
Testimony Against SB 917 in Senate HHS (4/7/21) | THA, TMA
Key Findings From THA’s Advance Directives Survey (July 2020) | THA
Multi Organization Letter of Opposition to SB 2089 (April 2019) | THA
Whitepaper: Texas Patients Oppose SB 2089 and SB 2129 (April 2019) | THA
Whitepaper: Texas Hospitals Oppose SB 11 (July 2017) | THA
House Committee Substitute for SB 11 (July 2017) | THA
Whitepaper: Overview of Texas Advance Directives Law (July 2017) | THA
Whitepaper: DNR Overview (June 2017) | THA
Palliative Care Resource (April 2017) | HHSC
Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council (2015) | HHSC