ASSEMBLY CLEARS CONAWAY BILL TO PROTECT PHYSICIANS WHO VOLUNTEER AT CLINICS

Measure Would Protect Doctors From Liability While Providing Volunteer Services; Increase Access To Affordable Medical Care, Services

(TRENTON) -- The Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee today released legislation Assemblyman Herb Conaway, MD, sponsored that would protect physicians who provide volunteer patient care and the clinics or federally qualified health center (FQHC) where they serve from civil liability.

"Across New Jersey, there is a shortage of doctors to provide medical services to low-income residents," said Conaway.  "As a practicing physician who volunteers at a clinic I realize that the threat of liability is great and must be reduced.  It is vital that we do all that we can to attract quality doctors to donating their time to improve access to health care for the many underinsured New Jerseyans."

Conaway's bill (A-2861) would provide immunity to volunteer physicians and the nonprofit clinics or federally qualified health centers where they volunteer their services.  The measure was designed to encourage more retired doctors to volunteer their time to increase access to affordable quality health care.

"By providing immunity to physicians and the health care centers they serve at New Jersey will boost the overall health of many underserved residents," said Conaway, chairman of the health panel. 

The measure would require volunteer doctors to be licensed to practice and would make them immune from liability for care reasonably provided in good faith.

Conaway said the influx of doctors volunteering their services means citizens will have access to medical care much sooner which increases the likelihood that they will be diagnosed and treated earlier for health conditions. 

The bill was released 11 to 0.  It now heads to the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee for further consideration.

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