Bill > HB88

This bill modifies Missouri's laws regarding medical malpractice and tort actions against healthcare providers by making several key changes. The bill expands the definition of "health care provider" to include long-term care facilities and adjusts rules for medical malpractice insurance rates and damage caps. It introduces specific criteria for determining insurance rates, including factors like loss experiences, training, and local market conditions, and allows insurers to adjust premiums based on specific provider characteristics. The bill also maintains the existing cap on non-economic damages for medical malpractice cases, setting a limit of $400,000 for standard cases and $700,000 for cases involving catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. Additionally, the bill includes provisions about jury instructions, punitive damages, and a mechanism for annual increases to damage caps. Notably, the bill includes a provision that if any part of the legislation is found unconstitutional, the entire act becomes invalid, and previous legal provisions would be reinstated. The changes aim to provide more clarity and specific guidelines for medical malpractice litigation and insurance in Missouri.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB88&year=2025&code=R