Bill Ends Trend of Outrageous, Unfair Medical Malpractice Litigation
NFIB thanked the Iowa Senate and House for passing important legislation in early February that will rein in frivolous lawsuits.
House File 161 caps non-economic damages in civil cases at $1 million dollars for doctors and clinics and $2 million dollars for hospitals. This legislation does not limit economic damages or punitive awards. This common-sense tort reform will help stop out-of-control verdicts that are threatening the vitality of Iowa’s healthcare system.
“In the past several years, Iowa has seen a substantial jump in high-dollar medical malpractice awards. These outrageous verdicts has led to higher healthcare costs, a healthcare workforce shortage and a threat to several closures of Iowa healthcare facilities” said Matt Everson, NFIB State Director in Iowa. “Today Iowa small business owners thank the Iowa Senate and House for passing this much needed reform, which will restore fairness and predictability back into Iowa’s healthcare system and is a big win for Iowa small business and their employees.”
