Anti-Tort Reform Goodies Buried in Health Care Bill

The House version of the health care bill, titled “Affordable Health Care for America Act,” includes a section (pgs. 1431-33) for incentive payments to be made to each State that has a compliant alternative medical liability law. For those of you short on time, scroll down to the bolded portion of Section 2531.

SEC. 2531. MEDICAL LIABILITY ALTERNATIVES.

(a) INCENTIVE PAYMENTS FOR MEDICAL LIABILITY REFORM.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—To the extent and in the amounts made available in advance in appropriations Acts, the Secretary shall make an incentive payment, in an amount determined by the Secretary, to each State that has an alternative medical liability law in compliance with this section.

(2) DETERMINATION BY SECRETARY.—The Secretary shall determine that a State has an alternative medical liability law in compliance with this section if the Secretary is satisfied that—

(A) the State enacted the law after the date of the enactment of this Act and is implementing the law;

(B) the law is effective; and

(C) the contents of the law are in accordance with paragraph (4).

(3) CONSIDERATIONS FOR DETERMINING EFFECTIVENESS.—In determining whether an alternative medical liability law is effective under paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary shall consider whether the law—

(A) makes the medical liability system more reliable through prevention of, or prompt and fair resolution of, disputes;

(B) encourages the disclosure of health care errors; and

(C) maintains access to affordable liability insurance.

(4) CONTENTS OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL LIABILITY LAW.—The contents of an alternative liability law are in accordance with this paragraph if—

(A) the litigation alternatives contained in the law consist of certificate of merit, early offer, or both; and

(B) the law does not limit attorneys’ fees or impose caps on damages.

(b) USE OF INCENTIVE PAYMENTS.—Amounts received by a State as an incentive payment under this section shall be used to improve health care in that State.

(c) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary may provide technical assistance to the States applying for or receiving an incentive payment under this section.

(d) REPORTS.—Beginning not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress an annual report on the progress States have made in enacting and implementing alternative medical liability laws in compliance with this section. Such reports shall contain sufficient documentation regarding the effectiveness of such laws to enable an objective comparative analysis of such laws.

(e) DEFINITION.—In this section—

(1) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and

(2) the term ‘‘State’’ includes the several States, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and each other territory or possession of the United States.

(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary, to remain available until expended.

No wonder it’s 1900+ pages long.