Medical Malpractice Bill Gaining Momentum

The proposal, referred to as the Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017, was introduced in February of 2017. It is touted as an opportunity to address the rising cost of healthcare in the nation and reduce deficits by an estimated $50 billion by 2027. Those in favor of the bill state that this goal will be met by reducing the use of unnecessary tests and lowering the costs of medical liability insurance. Those who oppose the bill state it will result in reduced ability for patients to hold medical professionals responsible for negligence.

Three provisions that will directly impact patients include:

• Award limits. The law would limit non-economic damage awards to $250,000. This includes damages that are not directly connected to medical bills. Examples include those a jury sees fit to award for pain and suffering, physical impairment, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life and other “nonpecuniary losses of any kind or nature.”
• Instruction limits. The proposal also notes that the jury should not be made aware of the limitation put on non-economic damage awards. This is likely to ensure that a jury does not attempt to provide the victim with adequate compensation by increasing the proposed award in other areas.
• Time limits. The proposal would also result in a three year statute of limitations. This means that in most cases, those who are injured by negligent medical professionals would have three years to bring forward a claim after the negligent action occurred or one year after the injured patient discovers or should have discovered the injury.

These are just three of the provisions as currently written within this federal proposal.