Dear Neighbor,

 

Amending the Physician Apology Bill
On Wednesday, I will be voting on, and attempting to amend, the physician apology bill (AB 147) in the Assembly Health Committee.  I serve as the ranking Democrat on this committee.

Under the physician apology bill, certain statements by a doctor who is being sued for negligence cannot be admitted in court, including expressions of apology, condolence, sympathy, fault, liability or responsibility.

 

Doctors should be encouraged to openly communicate with their patients and express apologies or condolences when something goes wrong.  However, AB 147 goes beyond that by making expressions of fault, liability or responsibility inadmissible in court too.  For example, let’s say a doctor admitted to a patient that he or she had been drunk when performing surgery that left the patient permanently injured.  That statement would not be admissible in court under the bill we’re voting on. 

 

My amendment removes “fault, liability and responsibility” from the list of expressions that are not admissible in lawsuits against a negligent doctors.  I am hopeful my committee colleagues from both sides of the aisle will support this simple—but important— change to the bill.

As always, it is a pleasure to be able to stay in touch with you!  Please feel free to contact me with any concerns, questions or ideas you may have.

 

 

Sincerely,

JON RICHARDS
State Representative
19th Assembly District