STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
RS27696 / H0519
The purpose of this legislation is to ensure that at least one parent or guardian of an unemancipated minor child,
who is under the care of a doctor and healthcare facility, is notified 48 hours prior to a doctor instituting an order
to withhold life-sustaining treatment. This legislation also provides within 48 hours of notification of such an
order, a parent or guardian has the right to request their unemancipated minor child to be transferred from the
facility under whose care the child is admitted to another available facility or transferred home. The parent or
guardian has 15 days to arrange the transfer, if it is not against existing state law, governing agency rules and
regulations, hospital policy, or third-party payment contracts.
FISCAL NOTE
According to the Department of Health and Welfare's Division of Medicaid the per utilizer per week expenditure
for in-patient hospital care is $7,458 ($1,065 per day). Therefore, if a parent chooses to keep their child in the
hospital for the entire 15-day period, hospital costs could be nearly $16,000. Who actually pays this amount
would be based on any combination of numerous factors including, the parents' health insurance and financial
status and eligibility for various state and federal programs.
Contact:
Representative John Vander Woude
(208) 332-1000
DISCLAIMER: This statement of purpose and fiscal note are a mere attachment to this bill and prepared by a proponent
of the bill. It is neither intended as an expression of legislative intent nor intended for any use outside of the legislative
process, including judicial review (Joint Rule 18).
Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Note Bill SOP/FN INTRODUCED: 02/18/2020, 9:58 AM