MO HB1246

Expands the categories of individuals whose health care decisions providers may refuse to honor on religious or moral grounds, adding patients themselves, guardians appointed under Chapter 475, and any other person with legal authority to make health care decisions for a patient

Requires health care providers and facilities that refuse to honor a health care decision to continue providing care and comfort to the patient pending transfer, and mandates that life-preserving care be provided if withholding it would result in or hasten death

Prohibits denial of life-preserving medical treatment or artificial nutrition/hydration when requested by a patient or authorized representative based on views that devalue the lives of elderly, disabled, or terminally ill individuals compared to others

Prohibits denial of such treatment based on a provider's disagreement with how the patient or representative weighs extending life against risk of disability

Establishes a legal framework allowing patients to bring enforcement actions, with providers able to defend by showing legitimate alternative reasons for denial of treatment