Federal legislative activities

US Senate votes against Medical Liability Reform
Minority of Senators put special interests before patients and physicians

In June 2007 Representative Phil Gingrey, MD, (R-GA), introduced the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2007 (H.R. 2580) to reform the nation's medical liability system. The legislation establishes a cap of $250,000 for non-economic damages, prohibits arbitrary awarding of punitive damages, and promotes swift dispute resolution. The HEALTH Act is identical to legislation (H.R. 5) that was introduced in and passed by the U.S. House of Representatives during the 109th Congress.

The AMA initiated a sign-on letter in support of Dr. Gingrey's legislation, which was signed by 56 national physician organizations.