Hospital leader says malpractice proposal would divert critical healthcare resources

Editor:

Legislation (A.285 and S.911-A) backed by New York’s trial lawyers would change New York State’s medical malpractice statute of limitations. While patients who are the victims of malpractice deserve justice and fair compensation, this proposed law does nothing to further those goals. In fact, it would have negative consequences for our entire healthcare system.

New York’s world-class doctors and hospitals already spend billions annually on medical malpractice coverage, the highest in the nation. This legislation would increase these already enormous costs by hundreds of millions of dollars and further divert vital patient care resources.

New York’s medical malpractice statute of limitations is among the longest in the nation, with important exceptions for children and patients undergoing continued treatment.

Unlike New York State, many states with provisions similar to those in this bill also have reasonable caps on the amount that can be recovered for pain and suffering, and some even cap total damages.

This proposed legislation is the wrong approach to fix New York’s medical malpractice system.

We urge the New York State Legislature to consider a comprehensive package of medical malpractice reforms that will strengthen New York’s entire health care system, and to reject
piecemeal legislation.

Sincerely,

Wendy Jacobson MS RN GNP
Interim CEO
Orleans Community Health