Florida Law Can Allow Doctors/Hospitals To Deny Your Loved Ones Access
Let’s look at current law
Today the headlines are about “No Patient Left Alone Act”. https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022/988/BillText/er/PDF
So are all Floridians now guaranteed to have a loved one with them when they are making medical decisions?
The short answer is no.
The “No Patient Left Alone Act” requires specific conditions to be met in order to get a loved one into the medical facility with the patient.
Now, thankfully, one of those conditions for access is that the patient is allowed a to have someone with them when they are making a “major medical decision”.
Is a routine hospital stay a “major medical decision”? A routine surgery while in the hospital? Covid treatment?
I am sure we’ll find out through litigation someday.
In the meantime the patient’s visitor does have to follow the facility’s “visitation policies and procedures” which seems to include masking or other requirements, but does exclude vaccinations.
And the visitor can be banned if they don’t follow the rules.
This bill is definitely a step in the right direction but it leaves a lot to be desired.
It still doesn’t address all of the patient access issues in Florida Statute 381.026.
So Florida has made a step in the right direction - but we still don’t fully have a law that ensures that no patient is left alone.
Keep telling your lawmakers you want full medical freedom - and laws that support it - and nothing less.
Shawn
NOTE: While legal issues are discussed this is education and is not legal advice. It is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. Please consult your own attorney on your situation and to get legal advice about your circumstances. Courts are unpredictable may disagree with the author’s opinions.
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