Texas-Sponsored Medical Malpractice Insurance Bill Passes House Committee

Gene Green, a Texas representative in Congress and a democrat, is one step closer to successfully passing a bill that would allow the federal government to provide medical malpractice insurance to physicians who volunteer in community health centers and free clinics. The Family Health Care Accessibility Act, which was sponsored by both republicans and democrats, cleared the Energy and Commerce panel's health subcommittee last week in a unanimous vote.

Green has said that the bill would give more Americans access to healthcare at a minimal cost to the government and that it would encourage doctors to volunteer their time without having to worry about medical malpractice lawsuits. At this time, many doctors choose not to volunteer their time because of the extra cost of medical malpractice insurance. Green also noted that this Act will work in conjunction with the recently passed health care bill, which significantly boosts spending for community care centers.