OLYMPIA—When faced with a terminal illness or sudden accident, having end-of-life care instructions can provide peace of mind and lessen anxiety for friends and family who might have to make tough decisions. But right now, those instructions become null and void if the patient is pregnant in a way that is inconsistent with the law.
Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way) wants to change that with House Bill 1215.
“Pregnancy is not a disorder or a behavioral health condition, yet for some reason we have perpetuated a myth that when an individual becomes pregnant, they become a less capable person,” said Taylor. “We risk reinforcing that falsehood when we strip pregnant people of their right to determine their own end-of-life care.”
Current statute allows any competent person to establish end-of-life care directives that health providers must follow in accordance with federal and state laws but declares the directive null and void if the individual is found to be pregnant.
“Pregnancy is not a reason to deprive a competent adult of bodily autonomy,” Taylor said. “Regardless of what stage of life they are in.”
The Natural Death Act does not require providers to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment if the provider objects to doing so and removing the pregnancy caveat would not prevent health care providers from actively trying to save the life of the unborn child.
The bill passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 57 to 36 on Thursday, February 13. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.