S 11 · 108th Congress · Health
Patients First Act of 2003
Bill Progress
1
Introduced2
Committee3
Senate Vote4
House5
EnactedLatest: Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 48. Record Vote Number: 264. (consideration: CR S9083)(2003-07-09)
Plain Language Summary
[AI summary unavailable — showing source text]
Patients First Act of 2003 - Makes changes to the health care liability system, including compensation for injured patients and other issues arising out of health care law suits. Requires a suit to be brought within three years of the date of injury or one year after the claimant discovers or should have discovered the injury, whichever occurs first. Specifies exceptions when a suit may be brought later than three years after the date of injury. Sets forth requirements and permissible recovery amounts for compensating patient injury, including: (1) the full amount of economic loss without limitation; (2) noneconomic damages as specified; and (3) a fair share rule. Requires the court to supervise payment-of-damage arrangements, limiting contingency fees. Sets forth rules for expert witnesses in cases concerning issues of negligence. States that such rules do not pertain to witnesses testifying to the degree or permanency of medical or physical impairment. Permits the introduction of evidence of collateral source benefits, except that this section shall not apply to provisions of the Social Security Act pertaining to State plans for medical assistance and Medicare as secondary payer.…
Summarized by Claude AI · Non-partisan · For informational purposes only
Cosponsors (13)
13 Republicans