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‘DPH leery of proposed malpractice law’
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Posted on Mar 31 2005
The Department of Public Health has expressed reservations over the proposed Medical Malpractice Act, fearing that it might scare physicians from coming to the CNMI.
“The Public Health fears that the CNMI might lose good doctors, but to me good doctors need not be scared,” said Senate Committee on Health, Education, Welfare and Programs chair Henry San Nicolas.
The bill, which he authored, aims to penalize medical doctors who would be found guilty of malpractice acts in their work.
“This bill [Senate Bill 14-51] intends to hold them liable if they do something wrong. They [DPH] are saying that they are not miracle workers and they are only working on their own opinion,” said the senator.
Right now, he said the government shoulders all legal responsibilities resulting from “neglect and malpractices” at the Commonwealth Health Center.
He said if there is a lawsuit, the CNMI government pays $50,000 for acts resulting in deaths and up to $100,000 if the victim suffers life-long disabilities from a malpractice.
“I agree that the government is liable but the doctor needs to have some sense of responsibility. If you’re saying you’re a professional, then be a professional,” said the senator.
San Nicolas said his committee intends to prioritize the bill.
