HF 4723 Summary

• Establishes the William Shegstad Healthcare Advocates Act allowing patients in clinics and hospitals to have a patient advocate (family member, authorized representative, or power of attorney) present 24 hours per day, with exceptions for operating rooms, isolation areas, behavioral health settings, and emergency care.

• Requires Medicare and Medicaid-receiving medical practices to not deny patients health care, treatment, or services based on vaccination status and prohibits vaccination status mandates for hospital employees that create staffing shortages.

• Grants patients the right to try alternative or off-label treatments recommended by their health care provider regardless of FDA approval, vaccination status, economic status, or political affiliations.

• Prohibits disciplinary action against providers who prescribe off-label medications or treatments at a patient's or patient advocate's request, unless expressly required by federal law.

• Imposes civil penalties (amount unspecified) on health care facilities that terminate employees or segregate patients based on vaccination status, or that experience staff shortages due to mandatory immunization mandates.