Governor Lee Signs Legislation To Keep Patients From Suffering Alone In Hospitals
Image Credit: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service / Public Domain
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
Governor Bill Lee signed legislation on Wednesday that will prevent individuals from being left to die alone in medical facilities in Tennessee.
According to the new legislation, during times when COVID-19 is a healthcare concern, medical care facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes cannot restrict patients from having at least one family member or patient representative present, as long as that individual does not test positive for COVID-19 and is not showing any symptoms of any communicable disease.
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The legislation defines a family member as a spouse, parent, grandparent, stepmother, stepfather, child, grandchild, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, adopted child, or spouse’s parent. A “patient representative” is defined as any family member or other individual, selected by the patient, to act on their behalf in order to support the patient in decision making; access social, medical, or other personal information for and from the hospital; manage financial matters; or receive notifications.
The Senate substituted House Bill 2665, sponsored by House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville-District 25), for Senate Bill 2449, sponsored by Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge-District 5) on April 27th. It was passed with a unanimous vote in favor of the legislation.
On April 28th, HB2665 appeared on the House Message Calendar. House members concurred with Senate Amendment 2 and then passed the bill unanimously as well with 84 votes for the bill.
With his signature, the legislation will now be assigned a Public Chapter number by the Secretary of State, making it official Tennessee code.
The text of the legislation states that the Act will go into effect immediately upon becoming law.
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
GOOD!!
I thought a Senate committee had killed this??
I don’t believe this is the same bill. Please note that this only applies to Covid 19.
Sounds good, but is deceptive. The right for visitation was given in the Omnibus9077 the fall of 2021, but included any “emergency”, not just covid. This bill removes that right. Further, it still has restrictive language, for “any clinical restriction or limitation.” Several bills like this were put forth and grassroots groups protested. Then the one backed by Speaker Sexton and Lt. Gov. McNally sails through. This was backed, if not initiated, from the governor’s office to protect NIH protocols which govern hospitals to the detriment of the patient. It is outrageous. And pathetic.