The Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council’s (DFWHC) complimentary “Hot Topic” event, “The Toughest Decisions: Issues That No Hospital Wants to Discuss” was held this morning at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. More than 80 attendees turned out to discuss such topics as faith-based concerns, pulling the plug and refusal to treat patients.

Wilson Elser, LLP Attorneys at Law Linda Stimmel and Mary Jean Geroulo served as speakers. During the event, Stimmel and Geroulo placed a special emphasis on the debate of religious freedoms versus a patient’s rights.

Mary Jean Geroulo

“Across the United States, health workers and patients are clashing when healthcare providers complain at giving care that they feel violates their beliefs,” said Geroulo. “In Texas, a pharmacist turned away a rape victim seeking the morning-after pill. Gynecologists may decline to prescribe birth control pills. Even some doctors are rejecting requests for Viagra from unmarried men. These refusals with medicine have almost always happened in secret, with many conflicts settled on an informal basis.”

Texas restrictions on abortions effective April 1, 2014 were also discussed during the event.

“We were very pleased with the turnout today,” said Steve Love, president/CEO of DFWHC. “This was a great opportunity for North Texas hospitals to come together in a comfortable atmosphere and ask questions or voice their concerns on these difficult issues. It was a very positive forum.”

Wilson Elser, LLP was the event sponsor. For a copy of the presentation, please click here.