ORS 441.048 Discrimination based on execution of POLST, advance directive or similar instruction prohibited

As used in this section:

“Advance directive” has the meaning given that term in ORS 127.505.

“Hospital” has the meaning given that term in ORS 442.015.

“POLST” has the meaning given that term in ORS 127.663.

A hospital may not:

Condition the provision of treatment on a patient having a POLST, advance directive or any instruction relating to the administration, withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining procedures or artificially administered nutrition and hydration;

Communicate to any individual or person acting on behalf of the individual, before or after admission to the hospital, that treatment is conditioned on the individual’s having a POLST, an advance directive or any instruction relating to the administration, withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining procedures or artificially administered nutrition and hydration;

Suggest to any individual, or person acting on behalf of the individual, who contacts the hospital regarding treatment for the individual that admission or treatment is conditioned on the individual’s having a POLST, an advance directive or any instruction relating to the administration, withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining procedures or artificially administered nutrition and hydration; or

Discriminate in any other way against an individual based on whether the individual has a POLST, an advance directive or any instruction relating to the administration, withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining procedures or artificially administered nutrition and hydration.

This section does not prohibit a hospital from providing the written materials and information about advance directives as required by ORS 127.649 and 127.652 or prohibit a licensed health care professional from engaging in a discussion with a patient about the written materials and information.