Gov Vetoes Wrongful Death Bill

Gov Vetoes Wrongful Death Bill

Colleagues: 

As you may be aware, on December 29 Governor Hochul vetoed the Grieving Families Act.

Despite the good intentions of this legislation, the resulting enormous damages in Wrongful Death actions would have had drastic consequences for our patients.  It would have harmed our already struggling community hospitals, dealt a death blow to many medical practices, driven more older physicians into retirement and more younger graduating trainees into the waiting arms of other states, and, no doubt, caused more employed physicians to become unemployed physicians.

On behalf of the entire MSSNY leadership, thank you to our physicians for their continued grassroots efforts which helped in a campaign urging this important veto. And a special thank you to MSSNY staff, local leadership, county executives, county presidents, hospital staff leadership, and all our partners, including specialty societies, hospital associations, MLMIC, municipalities, and business associations.

MSSNY worked together with many allies on this issue. We identified a sense of urgency and created a clear plan with our strong guiding alliance. We communicated our plan with the county leadership, and you helped to effectively execute that plan. Physicians from all over the state came together and took the time to write, call, text, and email Governor Hochul to encourage a veto of this bill. Social media was buzzing, and so were the op-eds that came from county medical society and specialty society leaders in addition to MSSNY. This proves the power of grassroots action. Our concern about the adverse impact of this legislation on our patients was clearly heard.

Read the Governor’s Veto message.

Like last year, there is likely to be continued legislative and public focus on this legislation.  Indeed, there were negotiations between the Legislature and Governor on changes to this proposal, and that is likely to continue into this year. As noted in my press statement following the veto, we stand ready to work with the Governor and the Legislature on revised legislation that would ensure legal remedies for grieving families, but at the same time protect the ability of New York’s physicians, hospitals, and other health care workers to continue to deliver the care our patients expect and deserve.

As we enter the new year, I wish you a joyous and prosperous time ahead. May it be filled with continued success and positive impact in all your endeavors. Happy New Year!

Paul A. Pipia, MD
President
Medical Society of the State of New York