For Immediate Release
January 31, 2023
MSSNY: Governor Hochul is to be Commended for Urging More Balance
in Wrongful Death Legislation
Statement Attributable to:
Parag Mehta, MD
President, Medical Society of the State of New York
“The physicians of New York state are grateful to Governor Hochul for her careful consideration of the legislation to greatly expand the awards in actions for wrongful death. As Governor Hochul accurately noted in her op-ed in the New York Daily News, ‘the unintended consequences of this far-reaching, expansive legislation would be significant, particularly for our already struggling health care system.’
“MSSNY stands 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. We cannot do that if we substantially increase our already enormous liability insurance costs, which already exponentially exceed every other state in the country. These costs would disproportionately impact physicians working in underserved communities.
“New York has a reputation for a world class healthcare system, but also a reputation for being one of the worst states in the country in which to be a physician. We must take steps to ensure that we can retain and attract skilled physicians to our state to best serve the healthcare needs of our patients.
“Again, we thank Governor Hochul for putting patients first and protecting the healthcare needs of every New Yorker by calling for a more scaled back version of this legislation.”
# # #
Founded in 1807, the Medical Society of the State of New York is the state’s principal non-profit professional organization for physicians, residents and medical students of all specialties. Its mission is to represent the interests of patients and physicians to assure quality healthcare services for all.
Media Contact:
Roseann Raia | Manager, Communications
Medical Society of the State of New York
865 Merrick Avenue
Westbury, NY 11590
516.488.6100 x302 | [email protected]
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