HHS puts focus on patient safety, medical liability reform

Posted On: Sep. 17, 2009 12:00 AM CST

Mark A. Hofmann

WASHINGTON—The Department of Health and Human Services will proceed with patient safety and medical liability reform demonstration projects, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Thursday.

President Barack Obama called for the demonstration projects in his Sept. 9 health care address to a joint session of Congress.

During a White House press conference Thursday, Ms. Sebelius said the initiative will help states and health care systems test models that meet four goals:

Put patient safety first and work to reduce preventable injuries.

Foster better communication between doctors and their patients.

Ensure patients are compensated in a fair and timely manner for medical injuries, while also reducing the incidence of frivolous lawsuits.

Reduce medical liability premiums.

The $25 million initiative will provide grants to states and health systems to launch and evaluate efforts. Grant awards should be announced early next year, Ms. Sebelius said.