State lawmakers pass $2M cap on non-economic damages for medical malpractice

After hours of emotional debate, House and Senate lawmakers passed a bill Wednesday to limit how much medical malpractice victims can receive for pain and suffering.The bill would cap non-economic damages for victims of medical malpractice at $1 million or $2 million for cases involving hospitals. Supporters of the bill argued the cap is necessary to keep Iowa’s medical system intact and hospitals protected from unlimited penalties.Opponents argued that the cap puts an arbitrary monetary value on life and will punish victims of medical malpractice.The vote did not go along party lines. Eleven House Republicans and five Senate Republicans voted “no” on the bill, along with all but one Democrat.In a rare move, some Republicans even questioned party leadership during the debate.”Will you seriously allow yourself to be bullied into bending your moral compass away from the people of Iowa and pointed directly toward the billion-dollar corporations who want this handout?” Republican Rep. Mark Cisneros said. “Contrary to popular belief, you can say ‘no’ to leadership.”Supporters say this bill will ultimately lead to more doctors and nurses coming to work in our state.”This bill is absolutely necessary for our state to continue to train future physicians to serve every part of Iowa,” Republican Rep. Ann Meyer said.The bill now goes to Gov. Kim Reynolds, who had previously highlighted the issue in her Condition of the State address.Reynolds shared the following statement after the bill passed:”I’m grateful to the legislature for passing reasonable medical malpractice reform, allowing Iowa’s health care industry to become stronger and more accessible. To the OBGYNs and physicians who have been worried about practicing in Iowa, we are ready for you! These reforms balance the needs of injured patients with the needs of all Iowans to have a robust health care system. As I said in my Condition of the State, these reforms could not wait another year.”Previous coverage:Ahead of the bill’s passing, KCCI spoke to a veteran who was advocating against the malpractice cap.Watch: ‘This punishes the victim’: Paralyzed veteran advocates against malpractice cap

DES MOINES, Iowa —

After hours of emotional debate, House and Senate lawmakers passed a bill Wednesday to limit how much medical malpractice victims can receive for pain and suffering.

The bill would cap non-economic damages for victims of medical malpractice at $1 million or $2 million for cases involving hospitals.

Supporters of the bill argued the cap is necessary to keep Iowa’s medical system intact and hospitals protected from unlimited penalties.

Opponents argued that the cap puts an arbitrary monetary value on life and will punish victims of medical malpractice.

The vote did not go along party lines. Eleven House Republicans and five Senate Republicans voted “no” on the bill, along with all but one Democrat.

In a rare move, some Republicans even questioned party leadership during the debate.

“Will you seriously allow yourself to be bullied into bending your moral compass away from the people of Iowa and pointed directly toward the billion-dollar corporations who want this handout?” Republican Rep. Mark Cisneros said. “Contrary to popular belief, you can say ‘no’ to leadership.”

Supporters say this bill will ultimately lead to more doctors and nurses coming to work in our state.

“This bill is absolutely necessary for our state to continue to train future physicians to serve every part of Iowa,” Republican Rep. Ann Meyer said.

The bill now goes to Gov. Kim Reynolds, who had previously highlighted the issue in her Condition of the State address.

Reynolds shared the following statement after the bill passed:

“I’m grateful to the legislature for passing reasonable medical malpractice reform, allowing Iowa’s health care industry to become stronger and more accessible. To the OBGYNs and physicians who have been worried about practicing in Iowa, we are ready for you! These reforms balance the needs of injured patients with the needs of all Iowans to have a robust health care system. As I said in my Condition of the State, these reforms could not wait another year.”

Previous coverage:

Ahead of the bill’s passing, KCCI spoke to a veteran who was advocating against the malpractice cap.

Watch: ‘This punishes the victim’: Paralyzed veteran advocates against malpractice cap

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