A bill that makes it easier to use mediation instead of lawsuits to address medical errors easily passed the Oregon Senate today...

Senate Bill 483 allows patients, providers or health care facilities to initiate confidential negotiations, mediation and reporting of medical errors to the Oregon Patient Safety Commission, helping the commission suggest ways to improve care. Doctors and trial lawyers, traditional foes, joined to support Senate Bill 483 after Gov. John Kitzhaber asked them to compromise.

A Kitzhaber-appointed work group proposed making the program mandatory, covering all medical errors. But opposition from doctors changed the legislation to be voluntary, making it unclear how often the alternative system will be used. Malpractice insurers say increased administrative costs could outweigh any decrease in litigation, but supporters say usage will increase over time. The bill will cost the state an estimated $1.6 million in the current budget.

Read more [HERE].