Legislators in Albany have introduced a deeply misguided bill (A.6698/S.6636, Weinstein/Hoylman-Sigal) that would drastically overhaul the State’s wrongful death law, despite Governor Kathy Hochul vetoing an almost identical version of it earlier this year.
Like the previously-vetoed version of the bill, the new bill would, among other things, create a new category of non-economic damages for grief and anguish in the wrongful death law, expand the types of individuals who may recover damages for wrongful death, and expand the statute of limitations. Importantly, its amendments do not address the cost concerns that informed Governor Hochul’s veto of the previous wrongful death bill and do nothing to mitigate the bill’s severe cost impact on hospitals.
New York’s healthcare providers already suffer under the nation’s highest medical liability costs, and this bill would increase their costs by a staggering 40-45 percent, which translates to less money for staff, equipment and patient care.
This bill is woefully inconsistent with the State’s essential budget investments in the healthcare community. It would harm the care provided by all hospitals and would especially impact safety net institutions and the families they serve.
We strongly encourage you to tell your legislators to oppose the bill!