Patients Denied Hospital Choice: Cardiologist Demands New Laws

Hospital Systems Hinder Patient Transfers, Doctor Advocates for New Laws US - Cardiologist Evan S. Levine, MD FACC, is calling for new legislation to ensure patients have the right to choose their hospital. Dr. Levine highlights how current hospital systems often make transferring to a different facility difficult and sometimes even harmful. He states, "Hospital systems make it simple to transfer amongst their hospitals but discourage and sometimes cause hardship when patients wish to leave for another." In one case, Dr. Levine describes a patient who experienced a small heart attack and needed an angiogram. While the patient's family wished to transfer them to another hospital, the process was delayed significantly. "They were refused a wheelchair to even help the patient get to the car," Dr. Levine explains. This situation underscores the need for legal protections that ensure patient choice and ease the transfer process. Dr. Levine's advocacy for patient-centered care and his expertise in cardiology add weight to his concerns. His call for immediate legislative action aims to provide patients and their families with greater autonomy and support during critical medical situations. The proposed laws would guarantee the right to leave a hospital for another of their choosing, with the same assistance as if they were transferring within the same system. This change would improve patient outcomes and reduce unnecessary stress.