HB 1601 -- EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT

SPONSOR:  Weter

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Health Care Policy by a vote of 10 to 0.

This bill specifies that informed consent is not required for
research programs or experimental medical procedures for patients
subject to a life-threatening emergency when conducted in
accordance with certain federal regulations.

The bill contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say the bill will allow consent to be
obtained later for certain research programs or experimental
medical procedures when patients are subject to life-threatening
emergencies.  Currently, St. Louis University has been involved
in a federal research program that subjects a patient to
hypothermia to slow down the progression of damage to the brain
when a patient is in the emergency room.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Weter; Missouri State
Medical Association; and Missouri Hospital Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Dominic Lackey, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:43 am