APA is supporting the Help Efficient Accessible Low-cost Timely Healthcare Act (H.R. 5) which was approved by the House of Representatives yesterday. In a memorandum sent to the APA Board of Trustees yesterday, APA’s Division of Government Relations (DGR) said H.R. 5 will provide needed relief for physicians burdened by medical malpractice insurance costs by capping noneconomic damages at $250,000. An amendment was also adopted that would grant liability protection to health professionals who volunteer at federally declared disaster sites. The bill was combined with the Medicare Decisions Accountability Act (H.R. 452) which, as reported by Psychiatric News Alert this morning, would eliminate the Medicare Payment Advisory Board established under the health care reform law. “APA has expressed significant concern regarding the controversial panel, which will have unprecedented power to make cuts in Medicare physician reimbursement without congressional approval or appropriate oversight,” DGR said in its memo to the Board. For more information about APA's support of medical liability reform, see Psychiatric News here.
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