HCLA supports reintroduction of Good Samaritan bill that protects patients’ access to critical care

The Health Coalition on Liability and Access today pledged support for the newly introduced Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act and applauded Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) for her leadership in reintroducing this bill in the 114^th Congress.

The Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act would help protect medical volunteers from lawsuits during a large-scale disaster, and ensure that vital health care services are available to disaster victims without altering liability laws that may currently exist in a particular state.

"The introduction of the Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act, at this early stage of the 114^th Congress, is an encouraging step in the right direction to protect patient access to critical care when they need it most – in the days and weeks following a catastrophic event," said Mike Stinson, HCLA Chair.

The bill has bipartisan support from a large group of original cosponsors, including lead Democratic sponsor Rep. David Scott (D-GA). Joining Blackburn and Scott are Rep. Dan Benishek (R-MI), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX), Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN), Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL), and Rep. Don Young (R-AK).

While medical professionals have expressed a willingness to volunteer in the wake of a crisis or natural disaster, there have been instances where some were turned away or limited in their ability to provide assistance because of the threat of medical liability lawsuits.

The HCLA will work with Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to garner additional support for the bill and will continue to push for passage of comprehensive medical liability reform legislation at the federal level.