U.S. Chamber Commends House Committee Approval of Medical Liability Reform

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today commended the approval of comprehensive medical liability reform legislation by the House Judiciary Committee. The legislation – H.R. 5, the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act – was approved by the committee yesterday by a vote of 18 to 15 and now goes to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

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"Yesterday's action by the House Judiciary Committee is a welcome beginning to the legislative push for meaningful medical liability reform," said Lisa Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform. "President Obama was right when he identified frivolous lawsuits as a problem for America's health care system and today's vote shows that many in Congress agree.

"We urge the full House to promptly pass the HEALTH Act and advance the legislation to the Senate."

ILR seeks to promote civil justice reform through legislative, political, judicial, and educational activities at the national, state, and local levels.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

SOURCE U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform