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We’re There, on Behalf of You
Last week, I sat through several hours worth of meetings on Ohio’s Do Not Resuscitate protocol.
Most people are not familiar with a body of law called the administrative code. In short, the administrative code is often the operational management that state agencies use to make the actual laws effective. Agency rules must be authorized by and amplify a state law, and they cannot conflict with it. An agency rule might elaborate on a function, a timeline, a process, or even a form. Generally, any agency rule must be reviewed at least every 5 years and evaluated for changes – either because of the laws, legal action, or even simply changes in how a department functions or interprets the statute. There is a public process that usually involves stakeholder involvement, drafting of proposed changes, public hearings, and even oversight and review by a special joint committee of the General Assembly.
This meeting was largely a pro-forma review of the administrative rule itself, but it generated a lot of discussion about things like the Ohio DNR classifications, what the form itself says, etc. To be very clear: pro-life voices are not opposed to DNR orders. In fact, a lot of what we do with Faithful at the End of Life is to help people understand advance medical directives, what they mean, and when they are appropriate (to schedule a Faithful at the End of Life program for your church or community organization, visit our website or call our office).
One topic of discussion was if Ohio should keep the distinction between what is known as DNR Comfort Care (DNR-CC) or DNR Comfort Care Arrest (DNR-CCA) on the standard form and also what should happen if additional instructions are written on the form. This was the first of what is likely to be many meanings, and people have lots of thoughts on DNR CC and DNR CCA.
As a quick note – if you have some insight or thoughts into that specific issue, especially if you are a medical or healthcare provider, send them my way (with a reminder that we don’t change the underlying law in administrative rulemaking). But, this discussion is why it is important to have a pro-life voice at the table when these kinds of discussions are happening, because it also led to a discussion of efforts to re-introduce MOLST/POLST legislation in Ohio, something that has been shelved for the past 5-6 years. While this was off-topic for the meeting (as ODH employees reminded those in attendance), it was a really great opportunity to share where the general pro-life movement stands on this often controversial issue and why we always advocate that a person, not a piece of paper as interpreted by hospital staff, is the best person to make medical decisions.
While our structure in 2016 meant we couldn’t really weigh in on that legislation, that isn’t an issue now. We not only can weigh in, but our ED is registered with as a lobbyist before executive agencies and the Ohio legislature. In sum – we are there and bring our respected expertise to represent you. Especially if you have made a donation to GCRTL ACT, you have made this possible. Thank you.
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