U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., on Tuesday co-sponsored a bi-partisan measure that seeks to limit medical malpractice lawsuits.
A press release from Capito's office reported that the Saving Lives, Saving Costs Act would allow physicians who can demonstrate that they followed recommended best practices, developed by the physician community, to "benefit from increased liability protection in the form of a legal safe harbor.”
"In order to make health care affordable to all Americans, we must continue to look for ways to lower costs and increase access," said Capito. "Meritless lawsuits increase costs for taxpayers and patients and threaten access to care.
"The bicameral Saving Lives, Saving Costs Act lays out a reasonable approach to fight back against frivolous litigation and to safeguard doctors who practice evidence-based medicine that improves patient outcomes.
"This will ensure that patients have access to quality and affordable care.”
The press release stated that 75 percent of physicians face a malpractice claim over the course of their career and that the "liability climate drives up the cost of care that physicians provide, encourages overutilization and adds an estimated $70 to $126 billion in health costs each year without improving outcomes."