Bell urges disclosure of services not provided by hospitals

Bob Semro, the Bell's health care policy analyst, testified today in favor of Senate Bill 93, a proposal that would ensure transparency between hospitals and their patients.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Morgan Carroll and Rep. Crisanta Duran, would require hospitals to notify patients services not provided based on religious beliefs or moral convictions.

In his testimony, Semro said the proposal:

• Makes no attempt to require hospitals to perform any action that violates religious directives or moral beliefs.
• Requires only that hospitals disclose any health care restrictions that are based upon institutional religious directives.

He also said that this information may prove critical for patients at the end of their life and the families of those patients in determining whether a particular hospital will honor their end-of-life choices.

The bill passed out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on a party-line vote.

Click here to read Semro's full testimony.