 |
| ESPC Home | | | 2003-04 LAP* Book | | | Background | | | Legislator Profiles | | | Key Votes | | | LAP* Book Home |
|
|
| Numeric List |
|
|
| Budget |
|
|
| Accountability |
|
|
|
Health & Human Services |
|
|
| Justice System |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
| State Employees |
|
|
|
Taxation & Revenue |
|
|
|
Wildlife & Environment |
|
|
|
Worker & Public Safety |
|
|
| Tribal Affairs |
|
|
| Senior Citizens |
|
|
2004 Budget Session
Right now, insurance companies that provide medical malpractice insurance in Wyoming file an annual report that summarizes how many health care providers are insured, how many claims were made (including those in which no suit was filed), and awards and settlements that were made.
HB 131 would require insurance providers to report additional information in their annual report. For each claim in the preceding year, they would report the specialty coverage of the insured, the nature and substance of the claim, and how much was paid for medical costs, economic damages, noneconomic damages and legal expenses.
Supporters of HB 131 felt that if the state had more specific data on the details of medical malpractice claims filed each year, it could lead to a better understanding of the entire issue of malpractice insurance rates and tort reform in general.
Opposition to HB 131 was minimal. The two legislators who voted against the bill perhaps worried that the extra reporting required under HB 131 might place an undue burden on insurance companies.
HB 131 passed the House 46-2 (12 excused), with Representatives Douglas Osborn (R-H40, Buffalo) and Ed Prosser (R-H43, Cheyenne) casting the two "No" votes.
HB 131 passed the Senate Labor, Health and Social Services Committee unanimously. The bill was placed on general file in the Senate but was not scheduled for a vote before the Senate Committee of the Whole by the deadline for legislative action, and so it died on general file.