Efforts by trial lawyers to weaken recent medical liability reforms were turned back in a House of Delegates floor vote this week. Now it appears the House will reconsider the vote tomorrow morning.

HB 495 would remove the requirement in medical liability cases that a copy of a party’s report of a medical expert be attached to the certificate of merit. The bill had been reported favorably by the Judiciary Committee. Following a vigorous floor fight, the bill died on 3rd reading by a vote of 63-71. Special thanks go to Delegates John Donoghue, Dan Morhaim, Ron George, Jon Cardin, and Joanne Benson, who led the floor fight against the bill, as well as our allies the Maryland Hospital Association and MedChi.

Unfortunately, now it appears the House may reconsider the vote. Contact your delegates and urge them to oppose HB 495 if it’s reconsidered. This bill would would weaken recent medical liability reforms and delay the production of evidence supporting a claim of medical malpractice

Contact Ron Wineholt for further information at rwineholt@mdchamber.org.