SB 273 - This act adds coverage for liability under the state legal expense fund to podiatrists, chiropractors, optometrists, pharmacists, certain mental health professionals, certain other health care providers who provide health care services at certain health departments or health centers, any social welfare board, the officers and members of such a board, and certain health care providers who are referred to provide specialty care without compensation for such a board. The moneys in the fund shall also be available to pay claims or judgments against certain physicians and dentists providing specialty care without compensation to an individual referred to him or her by certain health departments or health centers. The payment for claims arising under this specific provision shall not exceed one million dollars in the aggregate for all claims arising out of the same act or acts alleged in a single cause, and shall not exceed one million dollars for any one claimant, and insurance policies purchased for such persons with moneys appropriated to the legal expense fund shall not exceed one million dollars. Additionally, liability or malpractice insurance for any physician or dentist shall not be considered available to pay any portion of a judgment or claim for which the legal expense fund is liable under this provision.
This act is similar to HB 1389 (2006) and SB 946 (2006).
ALEXA PEARSON