42 USC 280g-15 - State demonstration programs to evaluate alternatives to current medical tort litigation

U.S Code last checked for updates: May 02, 2024

§ 280g–15.

State demonstration programs to evaluate alternatives to current medical tort litigation

(a)

In general

(b)

Duration

(c)

Conditions for demonstration grants

(1)

Requirements

Each State desiring a grant under subsection (a) shall develop an alternative to current tort litigation that—

(A)

allows for the resolution of disputes over injuries allegedly caused by health care providers or health care organizations; and

(B)

promotes a reduction of health care errors by encouraging the collection and analysis of patient safety data related to disputes resolved under subparagraph (A) by organizations that engage in efforts to improve patient safety and the quality of health care.

(2)

Alternative to current tort litigation

Each State desiring a grant under subsection (a) shall demonstrate how the proposed alternative described in paragraph (1)(A)—

(A)

makes the medical liability system more reliable by increasing the availability of prompt and fair resolution of disputes;

(B)

encourages the efficient resolution of disputes;

(C)

encourages the disclosure of health care errors;

(D)

enhances patient safety by detecting, analyzing, and helping to reduce medical errors and adverse events;

(E)

improves access to liability insurance;

(F)

fully informs patients about the differences in the alternative and current tort litigation;

(G)

provides patients the ability to opt out of or voluntarily withdraw from participating in the alternative at any time and to pursue other options, including litigation, outside the alternative;

(H)

would not conflict with State law at the time of the application in a way that would prohibit the adoption of an alternative to current tort litigation; and

(I)

would not limit or curtail a patient’s existing legal rights, ability to file a claim in or access a State’s legal system, or otherwise abrogate a patient’s ability to file a medical malpractice claim.

(3)

Sources of compensation

(4)

Scope

(A)

In general

(B)

Notification of patients

(5)

Preference in awarding demonstration grants

In awarding grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give preference to States—

(A)

that have developed the proposed alternative through substantive consultation with relevant stakeholders, including patient advocates, health care providers and health care organizations, attorneys with expertise in representing patients and health care providers, medical malpractice insurers, and patient safety experts;

(B)

that make proposals that are likely to enhance patient safety by detecting, analyzing, and helping to reduce medical errors and adverse events; and

(C)

that make proposals that are likely to improve access to liability insurance.

(d)

Application

(1)

In general

(2)

Review panel

(A)

In general

(B)

Composition

(i)

Nominations

(ii)

Appointment

The Comptroller General shall appoint, at least 9 but not more than 13, highly qualified and knowledgeable individuals to serve on the review panel and shall ensure that the following entities receive fair representation on such panel:

(I)

Patient advocates.

(II)

Health care providers and health care organizations.

(III)

Attorneys with expertise in representing patients and health care providers.

(IV)

Medical malpractice insurers.

(V)

State officials.

(VI)

Patient safety experts.

(C)

Chairperson

(D)

Availability of information

(E)

Information from agencies

(e)

Reports

(1)

By State

(2)

By Secretary

(f)

Technical assistance

(1)

In general

(2)

Requirements

Technical assistance under paragraph (1) shall include—

(A)

guidance on non-economic damages, including the consideration of individual facts and circumstances in determining appropriate payment, guidance on identifying avoidable injuries, and guidance on disclosure to patients of health care errors and adverse events; and

(B)

the development, in consultation with States, of common definitions, formats, and data collection infrastructure for States receiving grants under this section to use in reporting to facilitate aggregation and analysis of data both within and between States.

(3)

Use of common definitions, formats, and data collection infrastructure

(g)

Evaluation

(1)

In general

(2)

Contents

The evaluation under paragraph (1) shall include—

(A)

an analysis of the effects of the grants awarded under subsection (a) with regard to the measures described in paragraph (3);

(B)

for each State, an analysis of the extent to which the alternative developed under subsection (c)(1) is effective in meeting the elements described in subsection (c)(2);

(C)

a comparison among the States receiving grants under subsection (a) of the effectiveness of the various alternatives developed by such States under subsection (c)(1);

(D)

a comparison, considering the measures described in paragraph (3), of States receiving grants approved under subsection (a) and similar States not receiving such grants; and

(E)

a comparison, with regard to the measures described in paragraph (3), of—

(i)

States receiving grants under subsection (a);

(ii)

States that enacted, prior to March 23, 2010, any cap on non-economic damages; and

(iii)

States that have enacted, prior to March 23, 2010, a requirement that the complainant obtain an opinion regarding the merit of the claim, although the substance of such opinion may have no bearing on whether the complainant may proceed with a case.

(3)

Measures

The evaluations under paragraph (2) shall analyze and make comparisons on the basis of—

(A)

the nature and number of disputes over injuries allegedly caused by health care providers or health care organizations;

(B)

the nature and number of claims in which tort litigation was pursued despite the existence of an alternative under subsection (a);

(C)

the disposition of disputes and claims, including the length of time and estimated costs to all parties;

(D)

the medical liability environment;

(E)

health care quality;

(F)

patient safety in terms of detecting, analyzing, and helping to reduce medical errors and adverse events;

(G)

patient and health care provider and organization satisfaction with the alternative under subsection (a) and with the medical liability environment; and

(H)

impact on utilization of medical services, appropriately adjusted for risk.

(4)

Funding

(h)

MedPAC and MACPAC reports

(1)

MedPAC

(2)

MACPAC

(3)

Reports

(i)

Option to provide for initial planning grants

(j)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Health care services

The term “health care services” means any services provided by a health care provider, or by any individual working under the supervision of a health care provider, that relate to—

(A)

the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of any human disease or impairment; or

(B)

the assessment of the health of human beings.

(2)

Health care organization

(3)

Health care provider

The term “health care provider” means any individual or entity—

(A)

licensed, registered, or certified under Federal or State laws or regulations to provide health care services; or

(B)

required to be so licensed, registered, or certified but that is exempted by other statute or regulation.

(k)

Authorization of appropriations

(l)

Current State efforts to establish alternative to tort litigation

(m)

Rule of construction

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 399V–4, as added Pub. L. 111–148, title X, § 10607, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 1009; amended Pub. L. 114–301, § 3(d), Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1515.)

cite as: 42 USC 280g-15