SB 730 Advances Patient-Centered End-of-Life Care

Senate Bill 730, which would establish a statutory framework for Pennsylvania Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, or POLST, continues to advance in the Senate. The bill was reported as amended by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on June 9 and received second consideration in the Senate on June 10, before being re-referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

POLST allows patients with serious, life-limiting medical conditions to work with their physician and care team to document their goals, values, and treatment preferences as actionable medical orders.

Unlike a traditional advance directive, POLST is intended to be portable across care settings, helping ensure that a patient’s wishes are understood and honored whether they are at home, in a health care facility, or being transferred between settings. The bill also includes provisions related to patient and surrogate consent, education, EMS compliance, and liability protections for health care providers acting in good faith.

PAMED supports SB 730 because it promotes patient autonomy, strengthens communication between patients and their care teams, and provides needed clarity for physicians and other health care professionals caring for patients near the end of life.