Michigan State Senate Passes Bill Protecting Physicians at Free Clinics From Malpractice Suits:
The Michigan state Senate passed a bill (SB 30) last week that would give licensed health professionals who provide care in free clinics immunity from malpractice suits, the Associated Press/WebMD reports. The protection would only apply to nonemergency care and would not prevent lawsuits in cases of "gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct." In passing the bill with a 36-9 vote, supporters said the measure would increase care for the indigent by encouraging doctors and nurses to work in free clinics. State Sen. Walter North (R) said, "This will help improve access to health care for the uninsured and underinsured." Some Democrats, however, criticized the bill, saying it creates a "two-tier system of legal rights." The bill now moves to the state House (Associated Press/WebMD, 3/30). The bill as passed by the Senate is available at http://198.109.122.10/pdf/senate.engrossed/2001-2002/SEB0030S.PDF.
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