The American Hospital Association on June 10 voiced support for the Health Care Safety Net Enhancement Act (S. 961/H.R. 36), legislation that would provide medical liability protections under the Federal Tort Claims Act to hospitals and physicians providing emergency care. Specifically, the bill would extend to hospitals, emergency departments and physicians who provide services pursuant to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act the same medical liability protections given to employees of Community Health Centers.
“The increased costs that result from the current flawed medical liability system not only hinder access to affordable health care, they also threaten the stability of the hospital field, which employs more than 5 million people, and continues to be one of the largest sources of private-sector jobs,” AHA Executive Vice President Rick Pollack told the bill’s sponsors, Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA). “…We look forward to working with you to advance this legislation and other proposals that will deliver meaningful medical liability reform.”
Comments