Hospital, nursing home visitation bill advances

Legislation moved forward this past week to make hospitals and nursing homes allow visitors despite concerns it could spread the COVID-19 virus.

House Bill 290 would require health care facilities to allow at least one person to have access to a patient for at least one hour a day. It also would bar the governor from imposing any limitations on visits — including during a health emergency such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The House Human Relations and Aging Committee backed the bill on a 12-6 vote.

House Science and Technology Chairman Ed Setzler, an Acworth

Republican and the sponsor of HB 290, said allowing a “legal representative” to visit ensures that the patient is getting the best care possible.

Opponents have expressed concern that allowing an additional person into health care facilities no matter the circumstances — such as during a health emergency — could further exacerbate the problem.

The bill would prevent anyone from suing a health care facility if he or she got sick or was harmed because the hospital or nursing home allowed patients to receive visitors. It would also allow a patient to sue a health care facility that banned guests.

JENNI GIRTMAN FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION House Bill 290 would require health care facilities to allow at least one person to have access to a patient for at least one hour a day. It also would bar the governor from imposing any limitations on visits.