Bad news for Floridians! Ron DeSantis reverses controversial HB 6017 law on hospital crisis
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis opposes bill HB 6017, which expands wrongful death claims for medical negligence.
Florida's controversial bill HB 6017, designed to expand the right for family members to sue for wrongful death cases resulting from medical malpractice, has sparked intense debate. While the legislation has bipartisan backing and aims to close loopholes that currently prevent some relative seeking justice, Governor Ron DeSantis has voiced strong opposition.
During a recent press conference, DeSantis argued that the law would ultimately have an unintended negative impact on Florida's healthcare system. Supported by health officials like Dr. Joseph Ladapo, the Governor suggested an alternative that would limit compensation amounts and regulate legal fees to prevent excessive lawsuits.
Ron DeSantis opposes Florida's wrongful death law
The state governor stated he would veto the law because it would increase medical malpractice lawsuits, raise healthcare costs, and make it harder to hire new doctors.
“This legislation will lead to a flood of lawsuits against hospitals and professionals, insurance premiums will rise, and access to healthcare will be reduced,” said Florida’s governor during a press conference at Fort Myers Hospital.
Instead, DeSantis proposed possibly introducing an alternative version of bill HB 6017 that would limit compensation amounts and regulate legal fees, which would discourage excessive damage lawsuits.
The governor’s stance was supported by Dr. Joseph Ladapo, who accompanied him during the conference and asserted that “there isn’t enough justice to go around for the system to be sustainable.”
“In general, patients know things don’t always go well, and most are understanding as long as the doctor shows humility and humanity. But when doctors are arrogant, that’s when they get into trouble; that’s probably the biggest predictor of legal action,” the doctor stated. “The problem is not only legal but also professional and ethical.”
What is the real goal of bill HB 6017?
Bill HB 6017, or the Wrongful Death Law in Florida, has support from officials in both parties and aims to compensate damages caused by medical negligence.
Previously, the legislation approved in 1990 excluded parents and children over 25 years old from the right to sue for damages when an adult dies due to malpractice.
The bill seeks to allow all family members to access justice in negligence cases and sue doctors who have committed faults causing the death of their patients.
“I have heard heartbreaking stories from parents who buried their children without the chance for justice. These families should not be left unprotected due to a legal loophole that favors negligent providers,” said Dana Trabulsy, state Republican representative and co-author of the initiative, in remarks to Click Orlando.
