Thursday, March 25, 2010

Ensign Amendment (#3593) on Liability Protections for Pro Bono Care

Senator Ensign has offered an amendment (#3593) to the reconciliation bill, to grant limited liability protection to those who provide pro bono medical care. The liability protections would apply to a provider giving care to someone who is uninsured, or unable to pay for their treatment. The liability protections would NOT apply to services outside the scope of the practitioner’s licensing (except to prevent the loss of life or serious bodily harm), or to cases of willful or criminal misconduct or gross negligence.

The amendment is supported by:

    • The Alliance of Specialty Medicine;
    • The Health Coalition on Liability and Access;
    • The American Association of Neurological Surgeons;
    • The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons;
    • The American Gastroenterological Association;
    • The American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery;
    • The American Urological Association;
    • The Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations;
    • The Congress of Neurological Surgeons;
    • The Heart Rhythm Society;
    • The National Association of Spine Specialists; and
    • The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions