HCLA praises Congress on passage of medical liability reform legislation

The Health Coalition on Liability and Access today applauds Congress on the passage of medical liability reform provisions included in H.R. 5, the Protecting Access to Healthcare Act.

The bill passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 223 to 181. This was the 12^th time that medical liability reform legislation has been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives since 1995.

Estimates have pegged the savings from medical liability reform legislation to federal healthcare spending at $34 billion over 10 years, and the Congressional Budget Office has determined that the medical liability reform provisions of H.R. 5 would reduce the deficit by $45.5 billion over the same time period. This legislation will continue to provide full and unlimited economic damages to deserving patients, while putting an end to medical lawsuit abuse and maintaining access to vital medical services for all.

"The House of Representatives has taken medical liability reform seriously, and I thank the bi-partisan coalition of members who came together and supported this legislation that is so critical to patients and health care providers across the country," Chairman Mike Stinson said at the conclusion of today's vote.

"Comprehensive medical liability reform at the federal level is necessary to bring down costs, increase access to care, and ensure that the system works for all patients. The HCLA will continue the fight to protect patients by working with our grassroots supporters and the leadership in Washington, DC until comprehensive medical liability reform legislation is signed into law."