[1] NOTE:  As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the stand­ing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibili­ty for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

 

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F I S C A L   I M P A C T   R E P O R T

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Adair

 

DATE TYPED:

1/22/02

 

HB

 

 

SHORT TITLE:

Amend Medical Malpractice

 

SB

60

 

 

ANALYST:

Wilson

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY02

FY03

FY02

FY03

 

 

NFI

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Health Policy Commission (HPC)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Bill

 

SB 60 relates to Medical Malpractice, amending the Medical Malpractice Act to include certified nurse practitioners within the definition of “Health Care Provider.”

 

     Significant Issues

 

SB 60 may provide additional protections to certified nurse practitioners in malpractice claims. If a nurse practitioners chooses to participate in the Medical Malpractice Act, it may increase the  financial burden on certified nurse practitioners in small or independent practices, because the act requires the purchase of malpractice insurance that may impose a higher premium.  Providers are required to pay a surcharge assessed for the Patients Compensation Fund.

 

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

 

The Health Policy Commission has provided the following:

 

·       SB 60 may encourage more individuals to train and practice as certified nurse practitioners by reducing the burden of malpractice risk to both the individual provider and to potential employers.

·       SB 60 may encourage employers to hire certified nurse practitioners, (who may currently be perceived as performing duties that increase risk of malpractice claims without the availability of protection under the Malpractice Act), thereby, reducing overall health care costs.

·       SB 60 may potentially discourage the hiring of nurse practitioners by employers if they perceive the increased malpractice premiums for those employees to qualify under the Medical Malpractice Act as a financial burden.

 

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