Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2016

1/11/2023, 1:27 PM

Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2016

This bill sets conditions for lawsuits arising from health care liability claims regarding health care goods or services or any medical product affecting interstate commerce. Additionally, the bill sets a statute of limitations of three years after the date of manifestation of injury or one-year after the claimant discovers the injury, with certain exceptions.

The bill revises other provisions related to health care lawsuits including: (1) limiting noneconomic damages, (2) mandating joint and several liability, (3) limiting attorney contingency fees, (4) limiting punitive damages, and (5) denying punitive damages in the case of products approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Congress
114

Number
HR - 4771

Introduced on
2016-03-17

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

3/17/2016

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2016

This bill sets conditions for lawsuits arising from health care liability claims regarding health care goods or services or any medical product affecting interstate commerce. Additionally, the bill sets a statute of limitations of three years after the date of manifestation of injury or one-year after the claimant discovers the injury, with certain exceptions.

The bill revises other provisions related to health care lawsuits including: (1) limiting noneconomic damages, (2) mandating joint and several liability, (3) limiting attorney contingency fees, (4) limiting punitive damages, and (5) denying punitive damages in the case of products approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo improve patient access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system.

Policy Areas
Health

Potential Impact
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Civil actions and liability
Evidence and witnesses
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health personnel
Health technology, devices, supplies
Judicial procedure and administration
Lawyers and legal services
Medicare
Prescription drugs
Product safety and quality

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary4/3/2017

Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2016

This bill sets conditions for lawsuits arising from health care liability claims regarding health care goods or services or any medical product affecting inte...

Latest Action3/22/2016
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.