Medical malpractice law recommended for extension
The act was passed in 2004 following widespread public opposition to a bill approved in 2003 that allowed doctors to refuse care if a patient did not agree in writing to binding arbitration in lieu of full legal redress in court in the event of malpractice.
If the act were allowed to sunset, doctors could again refuse care to those unwilling to sign an arbitration agreement.
Legal representatives told committee members that allowing the act to sunset is counter to protecting the rights of patients.
The original bill was intended as a step toward limiting medical costs associated with protracted legal proceedings and huge jury awards in malpractice cases.
Under the act, patients cannot be denied care if they refuse to sign an arbitration agreement. Patients who have signed an agreement were also given the right to rescind the agreement after 10 days.
James Thalman
Comments
- Raptors confirm Turkoglu 1:10 p.m.
- Trial begins in Hilton contract 12:57 p.m.
- Clippers sign No. 1 pick Griffin 12:50 p.m.
- MLB fans feel priced out at ballpark 12:48 p.m.
- GM sale cleared 12:47 p.m.
- House passes food stamps bill 12:33 p.m.
- Utah man to serve 4 years for fraud 12:26 p.m.
- U.S. to launch $15B food initiative 12:06 p.m.
- Violence hits Iraq 12:04 p.m.
- What's it worth? 11:53 a.m.
- Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
- Utah's top 10: Wealth of recreation
- MWC, WAC rushed into BCS
- O'Connor unhappy Fes not with team
- Teen injured in fall from waterfall
- River flow marks birth of sanctuary
- Keeping golf light on the wallet
- Fatigued Jazz no match for Pacers
- Murder charge filed in shooting
- Jazz payroll is $3.1 million over tax
- Letters: Palin mistreated
134 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
133 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
132 - 'Tea party' protesters unhappy
107 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Stadium of Fire lights up the 4th
78 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
76 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
72 - Millsap not franchise player
70 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The night was balmy though buggy at SPOC, the Stansbury Park Observatory...
My husband only decided to run for Mayor after numerous individuals who know...
From the DesNews: Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor, reached late...
A question for all who blame the CRA for our current diffuculties. The law...
Seems to me that the economy, health care, etc have gotten plenty of notice....
WOW!! Seeing the lack of diplomacy and maturity in these blogs, as well as...
Oh, I'm sorry, I guess I should have been more specific. I was not talking...
Oh my. Government destroys our health care system and now people want them to...
As a Democrat, I hope that Chaffetz challenges Bennett so that all of Utah...
The Taliban are very bad and clearly training terrorists. That's why we...
It was Woodland when my grandfather was born there, and that was a long time...


You can be the first to comment on this story.