Radiologists push governor to veto bill that would produce ‘staggering’ increase in liability premiums

Radiologists are urging New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to veto a bill they say would produce a “staggering” increase in liability premiums. 

Lawmakers passed the measure during the 2024 legislative session, significantly expanding damages recoverable in wrongful death lawsuits. Both the American College of Radiology and New York State Radiological Society are now reaching out to members of the specialty, asking them to contact the governor to quash the measure. 

“New York already struggles to retain and recruit physicians, particularly in high-risk specialties, and added costs from drastically increased financial damages could exacerbate doctor shortages, limiting access to care for patients,” ACR said in a Thursday news update.

This is the third year in a row New York lawmakers have passed such a measure related to wrongful death damages. Hochul also vetoed a similar bill last December following outcry from radiologists and other physicians. A June report from Spectrum News explored this third legislative push for reform, with state politicians tweaking the proposal in response to criticism. The most substantive revision is a narrowing of the definition of family members who are eligible to receive compensation. But the bill did not include other changes opponents had sought, such as exempting hospitals and healthcare professionals from liability. Actuaries have estimated the law change would increase medical liability insurance costs by 40%, the report noted. 

“The latest version of this legislation does not in any way address our profound concerns with the enormous adverse impact this legislation would have on patient access to our healthcare system,” Medical Society of the State of New York President Jerome Cohen, MD, said in a statement shared Dec. 10.