summary
Introduced
06/02/2015
06/02/2015
In Committee
06/02/2015
06/02/2015
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/03/2017
01/03/2017
Introduced Session
114th Congress
Bill Summary
Saving Lives, Saving Costs Act Establishes a framework for health care liability lawsuits to undergo review by independent medical review panels if health care professionals (practicing physicians or their agents or employees) allege adherence to applicable clinical practice guidelines. Requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publish clinical practice guidelines provided and maintained by national or state medical societies or medical specialty societies designated by HHS. Sets forth standards for the development of guidelines, including standards related to transparency, the composition of the panel, and the review of existing evidence. Prohibits holding a professional organization or a participant in guideline development liable for injury allegedly caused by adherence to a guideline to which they contributed. Declares that this Act does not preempt: (1) any state or federal law that imposes greater procedural or substantive protections for health care providers and health care organizations from liability, loss, or damages than those provided under this Act; (2) any state or federal law that creates a cause of action; or (3) any defenses otherwise available. Gives jurisdiction of health care liability actions against health care professionsals, providers, or organizations to district courts. Allows a defendant to remove any health care liability action brought in a state court to a district court. Requires an independent medical review in health care liability actions that have been removed to a district court if the eligible professionals allege that they adhered to applicable clinical practice guidelines. Sets forth procedures for the use of the panel's findings at trial.
AI Summary
This bill, the Saving Lives, Saving Costs Act, establishes a framework for health care liability lawsuits by allowing health care professionals to request a review by an independent medical review panel if they claim they followed established clinical practice guidelines. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will be responsible for identifying and publishing these guidelines, which are developed by national or state medical societies, and these guidelines must meet specific standards for transparency and evidence-based development. The bill also protects professional organizations and individuals involved in creating these guidelines from liability for injuries allegedly caused by adhering to them. Importantly, this act does not override any state or federal laws that offer greater protections to healthcare providers or create new causes of action, nor does it eliminate existing defenses. The bill grants federal district courts jurisdiction over health care liability actions and allows defendants to move cases from state to federal court, where an independent medical review will be mandatory if adherence to clinical practice guidelines is claimed, with the panel's findings being admissible evidence in subsequent legal proceedings.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Committee on the Budget. Hearings held in Villanova, Pennsylvania. (on 06/08/2015)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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