HB 128 -- HOSPITAL GOWNS

SPONSOR:  Gaskill

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Public
Health by a vote of 6 to 3.

This bill requires licensed hospitals to issue admitted patients
a "dignity gown" which, if worn correctly, completely covers the
patient from the neck to the knees, excluding the extremities.
A standard hospital gown can be issued by licensed hospitals to
an admitted patient when medically necessary for patient
treatment and care.

The bill also requires licensed hospitals to inform admitted
patients of the option of wearing appropriate clothing unless a
standard hospital gown is medically necessary for patient
treatment and care.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this bill will require licensed
hospitals in Missouri to issue a dignity gown to patients unless
the standard hospital gown is medically necessary for the proper
treatment and care of the patient.  Also, licensed hospitals
will be required to inform patients that they have an option of
wearing appropriate clothing unless a standard hospital gown is
medically necessary for their proper treatment and care.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Gaskill.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the decision to
require hospitals to issue a dignity gown to patients should be
addressed through state licensing regulations pertaining to
hospitals, not through state statute.  Further, patients in
Missouri hospitals who have completed a hospital survey have not
requested that hospitals provide a dignity gown or similar
gown.   If licensed hospitals are required to issue the dignity
gown to patients, the costs of production will be eventually
passed to consumers.

Testifying against the bill was Missouri Hospital Association.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

HB 128 -- Hospital Gowns

Sponsor:  Gaskill

This bill requires licensed hospitals to issue admitted patients
a "dignity gown" which, if worn correctly, completely covers the
patient from the neck to the knees, excluding the extremities.
A standard hospital gown can be issued by licensed hospitals to
an admitted patient when medically necessary for patient
treatment and care.

The bill also requires licensed hospitals to inform admitted
patients of the option of wearing appropriate clothing unless a
standard hospital gown is medically necessary for patient
treatment and care.