Last night, Senate Bill 130 Noneconomic Damage Cap Medical Malpractice Actions passed through the Senate Judiciary Committee 4-1 after a six-hour hearing.
More than 20 proponents of the bill, including CMS President Omar Mubarak, MD, MBA, one of his patients, two medical students and 20 other witnesses testified in support of the bill. The trial attorneys who oppose the bill brought their own witnesses, and testimony included heartbreaking patient stories. We finally prevailed with the skillful stewardship of bill sponsors, Sen. Kyle Mullica (D) and Sen. Perry Will (R).
We continue to stand firm in our message: This bill is reasonable and responsible, and will provide fair compensation to plaintiffs while still protecting patient safety, quality of care, affordability, and health care access for all Coloradans. But we need your help.
The trial lawyers are not backing down in their attempts to amend or kill SB130, or to pass the five ballot initiatives they are moving through the title process to place before voters on the November ballot. As previously reported, #150 and #277 are direct attacks on liability caps, and #274, #275 and #276 are going after confidential information, including peer review, quality improvement and medical records. If passed, these ballot initiatives would increase health care costs and reduce access to care for patients, with the damage starting in rural areas.
It is imperative that we pass SB130 to neutralize the misguided ballot initiatives in the fall. We can’t afford to put health care at risk for millions of Coloradans just to line the pockets of a small group of attorneys.
What you can do:
Contact your legislator to share your support of Senate Bill 130.
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Click here to send a message and encourage your colleagues to do the same
Educate yourself on these ballot initiatives and spread the word to your family, friends and community groups.
Make a donation to help us reach our goal. We are just one-quarter of the way to our fundraising goal for the CMS Liability Defense Fund by the end of April.
Ask patients to share their stores. Patient stories have the ability to make a profound impact.
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