Legislation to Shelter from Medical Malpractice Claims Doctors Volunteering to Treat Low-Income, Uninsured Patients

Wyoming Senator Mike Enzi introduced a bill designed to encourage doctors and other medical professionals to volunteer their services to patients who cannot afford or access care. The law would provide grants that states would use in part to assume medical malpractice risk for doctors and ensure patients can recover damages from medical malpractice.

I have not thought through all the ramifications of such a bill, but it sure seems to make a lot of sense. What we also need to look at more creatively as a society is trying to get more doctors into rural areas. There have always been reports of doctor shortages in the more rural parts of Maryland.