Protect New York Physicians from Skyrocketing Liability Costs
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- What’s Happening: S.4423/A.6063 would drastically expand wrongful death damages, with no cost controls or protections for physicians.
- Why It Matters for New York Physicians: Liability premiums could rise nearly 40%, threatening small practices and patient access statewide.
- Impact on You and Your Practice: OB-GYNs may face hikes of $76,000 annually, and surgeons more than $60,000 — unsustainable for independent and rural physicians.
- MSSNY Action: MSSNY and 45 county medical societies are united in urging Governor Hochul to veto this legislation.
New York physicians are once again confronting legislation that could drastically inflate medical liability costs and threaten the future of patient care. The proposed bill, S.4423/A.6063, would expand damages awardable in wrongful death cases without implementing any safeguards to control costs or protect access to care.
Independent actuarial analyses estimate this measure could drive liability premiums up by nearly 40% statewide. For an OB-GYN, that could mean an additional $76,000 annually, while a surgeon could see increases exceeding $60,000. These costs would be unsustainable for many small and independent practices already stretched thin by administrative burdens, rising overhead, and ongoing reimbursement cuts.
The consequences extend beyond the physician community. If enacted, this bill would accelerate practice closures, worsen physician shortages, and reduce patient access to essential care, particularly in rural and underserved communities already struggling with limited medical infrastructure.
Governor Kathy Hochul has previously vetoed similar legislation, citing the threat of increased healthcare costs and additional strain on New York’s fragile healthcare delivery system. Yet this year’s version leaves those same concerns unaddressed.
MSSNY, joined by 45 county medical societies, continues to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with New York physicians in calling for the Governor to veto this bill once again. Instead, MSSNY advocates for balanced, responsible tort reform that protects both patients and physicians while ensuring fair compensation and affordable care delivery.
Your voice matters. As a New York physician, you understand the stakes firsthand. Join your colleagues in urging Governor Hochul to veto S.4423/A.6063 before it harms access to care across our state.
