The New York State Radiological Society has voiced its opposition to state legislation that would increase the amount of financial damages family members may collect through wrongful death lawsuits.
Gov. Kathy Hochul has vetoed similar legislative measures in the past, according to a Dec. 19 news release from the American College of Radiology.
Bill S8485B/A9232B, also known as the Grieving Families Act, aims to update the state's almost 180-year-old wrongful death statute that currently only allows families to sue for lost wages. New York is one of two states that does not allow emotional damages to be included in wrongful death suits, according to a Dec. 9 City & State New York report.
"New York already struggles to retain and recruit physicians, particularly in high-risk specialties, and added costs from drastically increased financial damages could exacerbate doctor shortages, limiting access to care for patients," the ACR news release said. "If enacted, the measure could have far-reaching consequences for physicians, patients and the state's healthcare system as a whole."
Passed by the New York state senate through a bipartisan majority in June, the bill has yet to be signed into law by Ms. Hochul.