Gov. Lynch said Senate Bill 406 lacked sufficient protections for the public. The “early offer” program — the first of its kind in the country — would allow injured patients to be compensated for the medical expenses and lost wages if they agreed not to go to court. The program would be voluntary but would require participants to pay attorney fees and costs if they reject an offer and decide to bring court action.
Gov. Lynch took issue with this provision as well as another one requiring the injured patient to post a bond before entering the court system. He said these measures tilted the “early offer” program in providers’ and insurers’ favor.
“SB 406, as presented to me, lacks certain fundamental safeguards that are necessary to protect injured patients,” the governor wrote in his veto message, according to the report.
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