Minnesota Legislature
Patients could gain option to designate caregiver
Patients would gain the option to designate a caregiver of their choice for their recovery after a hospital stay, under a bill passed 129-0 by the House Thursday.
HF210/SF107*, sponsored by Rep. Nick Zerwas (R-Elk River) and Sen. Kent Eken (DFL-Twin Valley), was sent to the governor. It was passed 59-2 by the Senate on April 13, 2015.
The bill would require hospitals to provide a patient, or an agent for incapacitated patients, the option to designate a caregiver to provide aftercare assistance at the patient’s residence following their discharge from the hospital.
The hospital would be required to provide the option within 24 hours of patient admittance but before the patient is discharged or referred to another hospital. The hospital would also be required to inform the caregiver of the patient’s discharge or transfer.
Zerwas said being able to designate a caregiver can make a big difference in a patient’s recovery.
Patients would be able to revoke or change their designation or initially waive the option. Hospitals would be required to record the patient’s decision. The caregiver would not be obligated to provide care and could choose to decline the designation.
The bill states the rules cannot be used to bring legal action.
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