Urge Governor to Veto Wrongful Death Bill!
Colleagues:
Late on Tuesday we received the unfortunate—albeit expected—news that the NY State Senate passed the new version of the Grieving Families Act (S.6636) by a 55-7 vote, following the Assembly passage of the bill (A.6698) on June 1 by a 131-12 vote. Having passed both the Senate and Assembly, it will now be brought again to the Governor’s desk. Unfortunately, this legislation does not address concerns raised by MSSNY and many other groups, and discussed in the Governor’s veto message in January, as it would significantly increase the type of awardable damages without addressing the overwhelming liability cost increases—which will soar by as much as 40%.
These cost increases are completely untenable to an already distressed healthcare system where our patients are already facing challenges in accessing needed care.
It’s time once again to gather our forces—as we successfully did earlier this year—to urge Governor Hochul to veto the bill. We will continue to work with our allies, including MLMIC, the hospital associations, the Business Council, the municipal associations, and the Lawsuit Reform Alliance of NY, to urge Governor Hochul to veto the bill. When the bill passed the Senate on Tuesday, my statement was sent to the press and picked up by Spectrum News.
But we need YOU—my fellow New York physicians—to pull together once again and demonstrate the power of our collective efforts. We must continue to make sure the public understands the profound adverse implications for our patients’ access to needed medical care if this bill were to be enacted. Our determination and dedication made a noticeable impact during the veto process in January, and I am confident that we can present our compelling case again.
Let’s raise our voices again and fight to protect our patients. Please contact Governor Hochul today and urge that she VETO this bill!
Paul A. Pipia, MD
MSSNY President
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