CHEST's Continued Cooperative Efforts: Coronavirus Provider Protection Act

JULY 2020

CHEST's Continued Cooperative Efforts: Coronavirus Provider Protection Act

Continuing its involvement in related professional societies’ communication to elected leaders and regulatory agencies in response to unique situations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, CHEST signed on with 133 additional associations organized by the American Medical Association representing state, specialty, and national medical societies to advocate for passage of H.R. Bill 7059.

The letter points out the unique circumstances under which practitioners are providing care. In the letter addressed to bipartisan congressional leaders, they explain, “During this unprecedented national health emergency, physicians and other health care professionals have been putting themselves at risk every day while facing shortages of medical supplies and safety equipment, and making critical medical decisions based on changing directives and guidance. These physicians and other health care professionals are now facing the threat of years of costly litigation due to the extraordinary circumstances.” They provide examples of clinical situations in which physicians are working outside their usual practice area, not having access to adequate testing and diagnostic aids, or having to delay treatment for other conditions during the pandemic. While beyond their control, physicians encounter the risk of medical liability lawsuits that may arise now or in the future.

The bill requests protection from unwarranted and unfair lawsuits specifically for health-care services that were provided or withheld due to circumstances related to COVID-19 when care was provided in facilities in good faith during the public health emergency.

CHEST urges members to communicate with their congressional representatives to lend their support to this bill.

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