Congress urged to shield health care facilities and providers from COVID-19 liability

The AHA and other national hospital organizations today asked congressional leaders to include in the next COVID-19 legislative package provisions to shield from unwarranted liability the health care facilities and providers treating patients during the pandemic. 

“As you are aware, a number of state leaders have either issued Executive Orders or enacted legislation to support their health care facilities and professionals,” the letter notes. “These measures are designed to shield front-line providers from the legal exposure that results from actions and decisions undertaken in responding to an unprecedented public health emergency. However, not every state has taken action, and a federal legislative approach is necessary to ensure a consistent level of protection is available for every facility and provider.”

In addition to AHA, the letter was signed by America’s Essential Hospitals, the Association of American Medical Colleges, Catholic Health Association of the United States, Children’s Hospital Association, Federation of American Hospitals, National Association for Behavioral Healthcare, Premier health care alliance and Vizient Inc.