Senate Fails to Avert Filibuster
On Liability Reform Legislation
February 27, 2004 - A Republican-led Feb. 24 procedural
vote in the Senate failed to avert a filibuster on medical
liability reform legislation that would apply to providers
of prenatal, labor/delivery, and immediate postpartum services
[see Washington Highlights,
Feb 20]. The 48 to 45 vote in favor of the motion fell
short of the three-fifths majority needed to shut off debate
on the "Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies Access to
Care Act" (S.
2061).
The AAMC sent a Feb. 23 letter to Senate Majority Leader
Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) and bill sponsor Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.)
supporting the motion to avoid a filibuster. Calling S. 2061
"an important first step toward urgently needed comprehensive
medical liability reform that will benefit all patients, physicians,
and healthcare institutions," the AAMC letter warned
that the "deteriorating medical liability system presents
a serious threat to the education, research, and patient care
missions of already fiscally vulnerable academic physician
practices and teaching hospitals."
All Democrats except Sen. Robert Byrd (W.Va.) voted against
the motion. Three Republicans voted against it: Sens. Michael
Crapo (Idaho), Lindsey Graham (S.C.), and Richard Shelby (Ala.).
According to Sens. Frist and Gregg, a series of similar liability
reform bills will be introduced in the coming months, including
legislation that focuses on legal protections for trauma service
providers.
Information:
Christiane Mitchell, Senior Legislative Analyst
AAMC Government Relations
cmitchell@aamc.org
(202) 828-0526
Get Washington Highlights
in your Inbox!
| 
