State Representative Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) introduced legislation this week that would establish a pre-litigation screening panel to review claims filed against a health care provider prior to going to trial. Under HB 215, the medical review panel would be comprised of three providers and one non-voting attorney. The plaintiff and defendant would each choose one provider, who would then collectively select the third. The medical opinion rendered by the panel would be non-binding, but admissible in court should the claim subsequently proceed to trial.
The AMC/NOMA strongly supports establishing medical review panels and has identified them as a key and critical solution to help stabilize the medical liability insurance crisis in Ohio.
HB 215 has been referred to the House insurance committee, and chairman Geoff Smith (R-Upper Arlington) has scheduled sponsor testimony for the bill for Tuesday, June 17.
At present, more than 25 states have some form of a medical liability-screening panel to deter against non-meritorious cases and encourage settlement of meritorious claims prior to trial. HB 215 is modeled after Indiana’s successful medical review panel law. The AMC/NOMA strongly supports HB 215.