HB548 repeals and replaces the existing Virginia Health Care Decisions Act developed years ago through a series of meetings with disability organizations, medical professionals, legal representatives, and others.
The term “quality of life” can be viewed differently by people with disabilities and others. People with disabilities can experience services and treatment that they view as acceptable and helpful. While others who are not experiencing significant disability may view those same interventions as being intrusive or otherwise they make judgements lacking personal disability experience.
Definitions of “life-sustaining care” and “reasonable medical judgement” are in current law but not HB548.
HB548 would allow for the denial or withdrawal of life sustaining treatments. If an individual has been using these interventions prior to a critical health situation, the individual may have a different view from treating professionals about the use of these interventions and quality of life.
The Commonwealth has a good Health Care Decisions Act. While there are a few provisions of HB548 that might strengthen current law, there are concerns that HB548 would rescind, weaken or unnecessarily change current law.
Attachment is a description of amendments to be considered if HB548 were to be moved forward.
HB548 repeals and replaces the existing Virginia Health Care Decisions Act developed years ago through a series of meetings with disability organizations, medical professionals, legal representatives, and others. The term “quality of life” can be viewed differently by people with disabilities and others. People with disabilities can experience services and treatment that they view as acceptable and helpful. While others who are not experiencing significant disability may view those same interventions as being intrusive or otherwise they make judgements lacking personal disability experience. Definitions of “life-sustaining care” and “reasonable medical judgement” are in current law but not HB548. HB548 would allow for the denial or withdrawal of life sustaining treatments. If an individual has been using these interventions prior to a critical health situation, the individual may have a different view from treating professionals about the use of these interventions and quality of life. The Commonwealth has a good Health Care Decisions Act. While there are a few provisions of HB548 that might strengthen current law, there are concerns that HB548 would rescind, weaken or unnecessarily change current law. Attachment is a description of amendments to be considered if HB548 were to be moved forward.