The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that would limit punitive damages in medical liability lawsuits.
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that would limit punitive damages in medical liability lawsuits. The "Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH)" bill would cap awards for pain and suffering at $250,000, but would not limit the amount awarded to a plaintiff for economic damages, lost wages, or medical expenses.
A statement from the White House said President Bush would support the bill. However, previous bills that would limit medical liability awards that have passed the House have failed to receive Senate approval.
Critics of the HEALTH bill objected to a provision that would protect drug and medical device makers from lawsuits if a drug or device received FDA approval, Reuters reported. Supporters countered the criticism by using California as an example of a state that has implemented limits on punitive damagesincluding protection for drug and device companiesand has seen its liability insurance premiums increase less than those of other states.
From evidence to practice: Dr. Makarov discusses implementation science in urology
July 25th 2024“What our major contribution is, I think as urologists doing implementation science, is determining the important questions, which we are particularly well-suited to do because we're taking care of the patients,” says Danil V. Makarov, MD, MHS.