Lawmakers Study Bill on Medical Malpractice Reform

A group of state lawmakers are studying a Senate bill that would overhaul Georgia’s medical malpractice system.

A Senate subcommittee gathered at the Capitol on Tuesday to hear testimony from groups, including the Medical Association of Georgia and the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, that oppose the reform and say it will increase costs.

Bill sponsor Sen. Brandon Beach says he’s received support from some doctors to the proposed changes, which would call for medical malpractice claims to be moved out of the courts and into an administrative system.

The legislation, which remains active for next session, would establish a Patient Compensation Board within the Department of Community Health to oversee the system. Patients would submit claims directly to an Office of Medical Review.