GLMS News is a monthly publication of the Greater Louisville Medical Society 101 W. Chestnut Street Louisville, KY 40202( 502) 589-2001 Fax( 502) 581-9022 www. glms. org
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REPUBLICAN SUPERMAJORITY PAVES WAY FOR TORT REFORM POSSIBILITIES
The November 2016 elections contributed to a surge of Republican legislators in the Kentucky House of Representatives: 64 to be precise, compared to just 36 Democrats, and enough for a Republican supermajority to be present in both the House and Senate.
This shift allows a piece of legislation that has been important to physicians for many years the potential to pass in a major way. Tort reform, also known as medical liability reform, is the primary health care related legislative focus for the 2017 session and what changes take place will depend on how many physicians, community leaders and Kentucky residents get involved.
GLMS and the KMA have been pushing for Tort Reform for many years now, advocating that medical liability and lawsuit reform will create a fairer climate for health care providers. The legislation is also attractive to groups such as the Kentucky Hospital Association and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce because it could mean a more robust health care system and business environment for the entire state.
It’ s possible that physicians and lobbyists will push for the reform to come through a constitutional amendment, which must be voted on by the public in even-numbered years. If the amendment proposal receives approval from both houses of Congress, look for a massive public education push to take place in the next 18 months.
GLMS President John Roberts, MD, said in his January Louisville Medicine article,“ Over half of the states in our country have enacted tort reform, many changing their constitutions to do so. Two of our neighbors, Indiana and Tennessee, have done so and now are more attractive locations for businesses and doctors. … Our citizens, senators, representatives and governor need to be educated and convinced that reform is needed.”
In their Winter 2017 newsletter, KMA also noted legislative priorities of smoking cessation and domestic violence reporting.
These goals follow two years of significant medical legislation passing such as fair contracting and maintenance of certification policies. This year, as much as any other, will need to see all hands on deck in order to make tort reform possible. For information on how to get involved with the GLMS Policy & Advocacy Team, call Onvia McDaniel at 502-736-6302.
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Moving!
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GLMS MISSION- Promote the science, art and profession of medicine; Protect the integrity of the patient-physician 2 relationship; Advocate for the health and well-being of the community; Unite physicians regardless GLMS of NEWS practice JANUARY setting to 2017 achieve these ends.