Senate bill to test alternatives to tort litigation

The US Senate is considering a bill that would allow states to test alternatives to medical malpractice lawsuits. The Fair and Reliable Medical Justice Act, S. 1337, was introduced in a bipartisan effort by Sens. Michael Enzi, R-Wyo., and Max Baucus, D-Mont., in July.

The bill would authorize as many as 10 grants to states to develop, implement, and evaluate alternatives to current tort litigation. These alternatives would have to demonstrate that they:

The bill could also provide funding for special health-care courts that would handle medical malpractice cases. Judges with health-care expertise would preside over these courts and have the authority to make binding rulings.