FEDERAL | ASPS Supports Good Samaritan Legislation
The Senate is positioned to advance the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act, which is a healthcare package that includes crucial language from the Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act. The package would protect physicians from civil liability when serving as a volunteer during disaster relief. Federal law does not protect healthcare providers, including those who cross state lines, when they volunteer their services to treat victims of natural or man-made disasters. This is exacerbated by a patchwork of state laws that fail to holistically address this problem.
ASPS prioritizes medical liability reform at the federal level, and passage of the Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act would be a positive step in protecting physicians from frivolous lawsuits. During the 115th Congress, ASPS has participated in the Health Coalition on Liability and Access (HCLA), signed on to two HCLA letters in support of the legislation, sent five ASPS-specific letters to Congress urging passage of the legislation, and engaged ASPS members via a grassroots advocacy campaign targeting members of the House of Representatives.
As part of the growing advocacy effort to push the Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act over the finish line, HCLA has developed a survey to provide healthcare professionals an opportunity to underscore the need for volunteer protections.
To make your voice heard, participate in this brief survey by clicking here.