A bill, S2197, which would provide for the use of Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms in New Jersey, to enable patients to indicate health care preferences as a complementary measure to the use of advance directives, was released by the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee. Primary sponsors include M. Teresa Ruiz, (D-29), Newark and Loretta Weinberg, (D-37), Teaneck.
Opponents raised the fear of such forms overriding advance directives and creating legal and family problems. Supporters such as Ruiz said the form would supplement such directives with specific medical orders.
Ruiz said the bill would be appropriate for patients with advanced chronic conditions, and said she hoped this bill would start a necessary conversation about end-of-life care and related issues.
