Residents, doctors, weigh in on malpractice bill
Steve Limtiaco
Lawmakers Monday held another public hearing for a bill that could change how medicine is practiced on Guam.
Bill 112, introduced by Speaker Therese Terlaje, would repeal a law requiring medical malpractice complaints to go through arbitration before a lawsuit can be filed in court. It calls for a magistrate judge in the Superior Court of Guam to instead hear evidence and screen the complaint to determine if it has merit.
The goal is to reduce the costs associated with pursuing malpractice complaints against health care professionals.
The island’s medical community has come out strongly against the bill, arguing the increased risk of being sued would limit medical service. Doctors who currently take on cases outside of their training would instead refer those patients to specialists, even if it means going off-island, opponents have said.
Hours of emotional testimony presented at Bill 112 hearing
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Lawyer: healthcare professionals concerns fueled by misinformation
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Doctors give passionate testimony opposing medical arbitration bill
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Hearing on changes to medical arbitration law expected to get heated
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