Conspicuous by its absence from the list of "Look what made it through the funnel!" in media coverage is Iowa House File 2305. There seems little doubt it will slide through the Senate, as it already has in the House, with bi-partisan unanimity. Every lawmaker cast a fully informed vote, of that I am sure, so each will be able to fully explain why it's in the best interest of Iowans to:
1. Reverse guardianship law since 1985 that requires a guardian to obtain court approval before being allowed to withhold or withdraw life support from a protected person (this change impacts adults only). This is a head-shaker. To be fully transparent, legislators should also replace that misleading "protected person" label from the 23,000 Iowans who have had their rights of self-determination nullified.
2. Relieve hospice licensees of the statutory duty to provide "palliative care," but instead opt for "symptom management," which is not palliative care. At least it never has been, but who knows going forward here on planet Iowa, because lawmakers aren't defining "symptom management." Just be sure to read the menu closely before admitting your loved one.
3. Create a new homemade DIY version of an Out-of-hospital Do-not-resuscitate Order, which until now has been a provider-only medical order. That should prove quite a challenge for Iowa's estimated 7,000 volunteer EMS workers, as they debate whether to perform CPR or honor that handwritten note on the fridge. Good luck with that.
Societies will always be judged by their respect for the most vulnerable. Iowa's 630,000+ seniors and estimated 1,500,000 adults with multiple chronic conditions and disabilities should demand that lawmakers answer "Why?" I really hope they ask.