Defensive medicine; joint subcommittee to study alternatives that will reduce costs. (HJ14)

Introduced By

Del. Bob Marshall (R-Manassas)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate

Description

Study; defensive medicine.  Establishes a joint subcommittee to study alternatives to the existing medical liability system that will reduce the costs of defensive medicine. The joint subcommittee is directed to (i) determine the extent to which defensive medicine is practiced by health care providers in the Commonwealth; (ii) quantify the cost of defensive medicine and the effect of such costs on the health care system; (iii) determine the extent to which aspects of Virginia's medical malpractice system, including the cap on liability, contribute to the amount of defensive medicine practiced in Virginia; (iv) determine the extent to which the implementation of an administrative compensation system or other alternatives to the existing system would reduce defensive medicine practices, and (v) address potential challenges to the implementation of an administrative compensation system, such as its abrogation of the traditional role of juries and the judiciary. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
12/18/2009Committee
12/18/2009Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/10 10100493D
12/18/2009Referred to Committee on Rules
01/18/2010Assigned Rules sub: #3 Studies
01/28/2010Subcommittee recommends laying on the table
02/16/2010Left in Rules

Comments

David Wright writes:

It's about time the state starting paying attention to this outrageous consequence of malpractice suits that raises the cost of health care for those in need. And doubly important given that the "comprehensive" health care reform reconciliation bill being crafted behind closed doors in Congress does absolutely NOTHING to address this problem- thanks to the will of the trial lawyers and their political contributions.