Representatives Luis Correa (D-CA) and Michael Burgess, MD (R-TX) recently introduced H.R. 3021, the Coronavirus Provider Protection Act, to provide uniform liability protection to medical professionals and facilities on the front lines of the pandemic. This bill takes immediate action to protect frontline medical professionals and facilities arising from a variety of claims, including workforce shortages, inadequate personal protective equipment, and delays in nonessential care resulting from government and public health guidance. There is bipartisan support for this bill that will also limit legal challenges to state executive orders and legislation.
Last year, AAPM&R actively advocated for enactment of the Coronavirus Provider Protection Act (H.R. 7059 in the 116th Congress). This bill aimed to protect physicians and all healthcare providers from medical liability associated with care related to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE).
Please take a moment to send a customizable email to your Congressional Representatives, urging their co-sponsorship of H.R. 3021 to provide critical federal liability protections to physicians and all healthcare providers and facilities. Members are encouraged to share personal experiences explaining how important the provisions of the Coronavirus Provider Protection Act are to you as a physiatrist, your colleagues, and the medical facility where you work.