State Rep. Paul Schemel | Pennsylvania 90th Legislative District
State Rep. Paul Schemel | Pennsylvania 90th Legislative District
Rep. Paul Schemel has introduced legislation in Pennsylvania aimed at assisting patients and healthcare providers with the use of Pennsylvania Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms. These forms allow patients with a life expectancy of less than a year to outline their preferences regarding medical interventions, such as opting out of CPR during cardiac arrest. The POLST form is unique because it is a standing medical order that remains valid across different medical settings.
While most states have already implemented some version of POLST, Pennsylvania has delayed its adoption due to disagreements between national advocacy groups and those with ethical concerns about who should be eligible for POLST.
“House Bill 2394 addresses the ethical concerns with POLST by clearly identifying individuals with life-limiting conditions as the only appropriate candidates for POLST, therefore avoiding the unintended consequence of someone signing a POLST, recovering from her illness and then forgetting that she had agreed to decline certain medical care," Schemel stated. "The legislation also makes clear that POLST is not to be used to advance or support assisted suicide."
The bill proposes that POLST forms include information about CPR, require signatures from both the individual and healthcare practitioner, and allow verbal consent procedures. These orders would be recognized statewide and need annual renewal. Additionally, healthcare providers acting in good faith would receive immunity when following these orders.
House Bill 2394 has been sent to the House Health Committee for review.
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