OLYMPIA (AP) — Washington state lawmakers are moving ahead with a plan that would give health care providers immunity for following end-of-life directives.
The House approved a bill Monday night to extend that protection for providers who follow valid forms that summarize end-of-life wishes. Democratic Rep. Jim Moeller of Vancouver says the measure is needed to ensure that health care providers can abide by the will of a patient without fear of liability.
Democratic Rep. Jamie Pedersen of Seattle opposed the measure. He fears the proposal would allow someone to complete an end-of-life form for a family member and that health care providers would not be obligated to check files for other end-of-life directives that may have been filled out by the patient.
The measure passed 59-36.
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