New York Physicians Oppose Amended Grieving Families Bill

For Immediate Release
May 23, 2023 

New York Physicians Oppose Amended Grieving Families Bill

Statement Attributable to:
Paul A. Pipia, MD,
President, Medical Society of the State of New York 

“In January, physicians, hospitals, businesses, and municipalities all applauded Governor Hochul for vetoing a bill that would have greatly expanded damages awardable in wrongful death actions and dramatically increased liability insurance costs for all New Yorkers.

“However, we are now alarmed that the New York State Legislature is again considering new legislation (A.6698/S.6636) that does not address the fundamental concerns raised by the Governor in vetoing the bill regarding the threats to our health care system. The new bill would significantly increase the type of awardable damages in New York and threaten the stability of our already struggling healthcare safety net. MSSNY, together with 16 other medical specialty societies, sent a letter in opposition to the legislature.

“These costs would cause significant damage to our healthcare safety net, imposing staggering new costs for our hospitals, driving physicians out of state, and exacerbating the already challenging patient access to care issues we face, particularly in underserved areas. Studies have shown that permitting the awarding of non-economic damages in wrongful death lawsuits, as this bill would do, will increase medical liability costs for hospitals and physicians by almost 40% when they already face outrageously high medical liability insurance costs that far exceed any other state in the country.

“We have great sympathy for the grieving families this legislation seeks to help. However, the current legislation is completely one-sided. To protect our patients, any legislation to expand costly lawsuits must be comprehensive and balanced to help prevent the enormous adverse impact this bill would have on our health care system.

“MSSNY stands ready to work with the Senate and Assembly on a revised bill to ensure legal remedies for grieving families, but at the same time protect the ability of New York’s physicians, hospitals, and health care workers to deliver the care our patients expect and deserve.”

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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]

Julie Vecchione
Vice President, Communications
Medical Society of the State of New York
865 Merrick Avenue
Westbury, NY 11590
516.488.6100 x340 | [email protected]