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Member, Beacon International Group, Ltd.
WASHINGTON—A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced a bill that would limit noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases, among other things.
Under the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare Act of 2011—H.R. 5—punitive damages, where permitted, also would be limited to the greater of $250,000 or twice economic damages in medical malpractice awards.
Noneconomic damages would be capped at $250,000.
The measure also would limit attorney contingent fees in medical malpractice cases on sliding scale to a maximum of 40% on the first $50,000 to 15% on awards of more than $600,000.
The bill was introduced Monday by Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Ga., a physician, and co-sponsored by Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas.
WASHINGTON—A high-profile commission is expected to vote Friday on a series of wide-ranging recommendations—including medical malpractice reforms and phasing out the tax-favored status of employer-provided health care benefits—as part of comprehensive plan to reduce the federal budget deficit.