House Bill Could Inject Med Mal Reforms Into ACA Fight

The House Judiciary Committee voted 18-17 to advance H.R. 1215, which would create the Protecting Access to Care Act. The measure would put a $250,000 cap for pain and suffering in medical negligence cases. Attorney Robert Bradner said the bill could prompt lawmakers to add the medical liability issue into the replacement for the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

"I think the House is trying to get a marker in the ground," explained Mr. Bradner. "Enacting freestanding law would be very difficult, though, because of the Senate. My understanding is it has to go through the Energy and Commerce Committee, positioning to be part of the discussion of the Affordable Care Act. Whether this will be folded into the efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act remains to be seen."

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