Bill Ensuring Hospital Patient Visitation Rights Begins Journey Through Tennessee House
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The Tennessee Conservative [By Rebecca Scott] –
The Tennessee Senate has passed Senate Bill 1641 (SB1641) that prevents hospitals from restricting certain visitation rights of those who are designated to hold power of attorney for a patient.
The legislation will guarantee that a person who holds power of attorney for a patient is able to visit that patient at least once a day for a minimum of one hour.
Now, the House’s version of the bill, House Bill 1883 (HB1883), must make its way through the Tennessee House.
HB1883, sponsored by Representative Kip Capley (R-Summertown-District 71), “creates the right of an attorney in fact designated to make healthcare decisions under a durable power of attorney for health care to conduct at least one in-person visitation with the principal for each day the principal is in a hospital; permits the hospital to require the attorney in fact to submit to non-invasive health and safety protocols; prohibits the visitation right from being terminated, suspended, waived, or otherwise limited during a declared disaster or state of emergency. – Amends TCA Title 34; Title 63 and Title 68.”
The bill has been placed on the House Health Subcommittee calendar for discussion on February 20, 2024.
Last year, Governor Bill Lee signed legislation that prevents individuals from being left to die alone in medical facilities within the state. That law, along with SB1641/HB1883, are designed to avoid patients being left to suffer or die alone as happened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To voice your support, concerns, or opposition regarding HB 1883, contact the House Health Subcommittee before February 20.
David B. Hawk (R) – Chair – rep.david.hawk@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7482
Tim Hicks (R) – rep.tim.hicks@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1717
Darren Jernigan (D) – rep.darren.jernigan@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6959
Tom Leatherwood (R) – rep.tom.leatherwood@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7084
Brock Martin (R) – rep.brock.martin@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7478
Bo Mitchell (D) – rep.bo.mitchell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4317
Paul Sherrell (R) – rep.paul.sherrell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1963
Bryan Terry (R) – rep.bryan.terry@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2180
Ryan Williams (R) – rep.ryan.williams@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1875
Rebecca Scott is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative.
You can reach Rebecca at Rebecca@tennesseeconservativenews.com
I understand that this bill is trying to achieve something, but why an hour and why only Power of Attorney holders? It’s still a mess—younger people or singles rarely have those kinds of documents. What about young families, the uninformed, those who can’t afford to have the papers drafted, those who “suddenly” fall ill without having that document or the ability to sign that document? The scenarios are endless. At the very least, this bill ought to include parents, adult children, spouses, common law spouses, or really anyone who can show they have a right to be with the person they are advocating for. This law would never help anyone in my family. How many independent young adults are even going to think about signing over their healthcare rights to their parents “just in case”. I know mine wouldn’t. So without that document, my kids would suffer alone. This just seems to be a bill for politicians to say they’ve done something about hospital visitation, when all they’ve done is make things more difficult by graciously granting us rights we already possess. Americans, let alone Tennesseans, don’t need permission to assemble, associate, move freely or take care of their loved ones, last time I checked. But I know, I’m preaching to the choir. Oh, and the legislation makes it a LAW that patient advocates will be tested (who defines “non-invasive?) or made to comply with arbitrary rules just to get in the door. 😠
You’re right, but it’s a start in right direction.
THANX for email list!
Sent them; Vote YES, with ROLL CALL VOTE!!
Something BAD wrong with anybody against this!
What a sick, sad world we are living in, that we have to even create stupid bills to allow family and friends to visit those who are dying. TN “officials”……..you should be deeply ashamed of yourselves ( but that would require ones ability to even feel shame ) that you feel the need to exert power even in these circumstances…..WE ARE SICK OF BEING NANNIED TO DEATH!!!!!! How about minding your own damn business for once and focus on your own families instead of pushing your totalitarianism onto ours? PATHETIC!