End-of-life care bill moves forward

BOISE (AP) — An Idaho House committee has approved a bill ensuring dying patients receive the end-of-life care they or their families desire.

The House State Affairs committee voted unanimously Monday to advance legislation that would bar medical personnel from denying life-prolonging treatment to patients who have requested them.

Republican Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll of Cottonwood is pushing the measure and acknowledges most doctors and nurses already adhere to patients' wishes.

But she says this measure closes a loophole allowing doctors to deny end-of-life care if they've tried and failed to find another physician willing to treat the patient.

Idaho Medical Association lobbyist Ken McClure says patients and their families should remain in control for end-of-life decisions, and amendments to the plan to make it acceptable to Idaho medical personnel.