A much needed liability reform bill addressing physician apologies has cleared another important hurdle on its way to becoming law. On Mar. 2, 2011, the House of Representatives passed House Bill 495 by a vote of 171-27. The bill is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee for its consideration.
The Pennsylvania Medical Society applauds the House of Representatives for passing HB 495. Medical Society President Ralph Schmeltz, MD, issued this statement.
When a poor outcome occurs, patients want answers, and physicians want to provide the patient with those answers. House Bill 495 would allow health care providers and patients to have a full and open conversation after an unforeseen outcome without fear that anything said by the provider would be used against them in a medical liability lawsuit.
HB 495 does not take any legal right away from injured patients or impair their ability to file a personal injury action against a health care provider should they choose to do so. It also does not limit the amount that a patient can recover in such an action. The proposed legislation simply facilitates the ability of providers and patients to have an open discussion after a poor outcome.