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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A bill making it harder for medical providers in Kansas to deny life-sustaining care to children has passed the state Senate.
The vote Tuesday was 37-3 on a measure that requires health care providers to have written permission from a parent or guardian to withhold life-sustaining care for patients under 18.
Health care facilities, nursing homes and doctors also would be required to honor requests from parents or guardians to disclose policies on life-sustaining care and providing care when it is deemed futile.
Supporters said the bill is designed to give parents a say in their care of their critically ill children. They said the measure is a response to cases in multiple states in which children did not receive life-sustaining care because medical personnel saw it as futile.
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This story had been corrected to show that the Senate revised its vote tally to 37-3, a change from the 36-4 it previously announced.
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