In TX, proposed bill clarifies end-of-life treatment

When a terminally ill patient reaches the end of their life, Dr. Arlo Weltge wants the laws to be clear about dealing with the already difficult situation. "For the most part, the physician and the patient are on the same page," said Weltge, who practices emergency medicine in Houston. "But sometimes there's disagreement on what is best." Sen. Robert Deuell, R-Greenville, filed legislation Thursday, SB 303, that provides clarification to Texas' Advanced Directives Act, which sets out the end-of-life care for patients. Deuell's bill adds language that specifically addresses patients "for whom life-sustaining treatment would be medically inappropriate and ineffective," Weltge said.