HASC and CHA support the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA), and encourage hospital members to learn more about the Californians Allied for Patient Protection (CAPP) for up-to-date information on MICRA.

MICRA ensures injured patients are protected and fairly compensated, and protects patient access to care, by balancing the interests of patients with those of providers. MICRA provisions build in incentives to explore resolving claims outside of the court system, and rebalance incentives to go to trial and seek huge damages awards by juries, by placing a cap on damages for “pain and suffering,” permitting evidence of health insurance coverage, and limiting the amount a trial attorney can take as payment for representing an injured patient. MICRA also allows for periodic payments to balance the economic impact to providers while ensuring a steady stream of income to the patient for current and future needs. By rebalancing the incentive to sue for medical malpractice, MICRA helps to keep medical liability insurance coverage affordable, so that more hospitals, health care providers, health facilities, community clinics and health centers can continue to provide patient care.

The CAPP coalition has the support of more than 600 organizations representing hospitals, physicians, nurses, community clinics, dentists, local governments, public safety advocates, labor and business groups. For more information, contact AJ Kennedy at (916) 448-7992 ext. 3 or akennedy@micra.org   to add your hospital as a supporter at no cost and receive updates on MICRA legislation.