S. B. 379, sponsored by Senator Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York), won unanimous approval in the state’s House of Representatives Tuesday and was signed into law Wednesday morning.
“We are working toward common sense legal reforms aimed at bringing fairness, balance and stability to Pennsylvania’s civil justice system, and benevolent gesture is a part of it,” said House Majority Leader Mike Turazi in a statement. “When this bill gets signed into law, our doctors and other healthcare providers can once again be sympathetic with patients without fear of being sued.”
The bill is strongly supported by the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania. “This is a significant win for Pennsylvanians and the hospitals that serve them,” said HAP President and CEO Andy Carter in a news release. “The bill does not prevent any patient from filing a medical liability lawsuit when there is an unanticipated medical outcome. Instead, it allows for the kind of open discussion that can lead to resolution without the excessive costs that result when matters are decided in the courtroom.”
“This is good for patients, good for hospitals, good for Pennsylvania,” he said.
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