FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jan. 14, 2008

CONTACT:
John Patella
609-395-1785

"Governor Corzine must decide whether to sign a bill allowing close relatives to sue for monetary damages as compensation for grief, or whether the bill would have unintended -- and potentially dire -- consequences on our state's already beleaguered healthcare system.

NJ Physicians, an association of the state's medical doctors, urges Governor Corzine to veto this legislation which, though well-intentioned, will cost New Jersey jobs, increase the cost of healthcare, and further reduce access to quality care.

Currently under state law, family members can file lawsuits for losses such as medical bills or unpaid wages, or even the loss of 'companionship, advice and guidance.'  The new bill, rushed through both houses of the Legislature during the lame duck period, would expand the cause of action to "emotional distress" with no limits on the amount of potential recovery.

The bill, if signed by the Governor, would substantially increase the number of medical malpractice cases that are filed. Allowing for "sky-is-the-limit" awards, the law could force more hospitals to close, accelerate the exodus of physicians from the state and stifle efforts to recruit new physicians.  The result will be increased insurance premiums, higher healthcare costs, and fewer physicians and hospitals to care for patients.

Our state simply cannot afford it.

As a state with a reputation for some of the highest insurance costs in the country, we should be working to reduce those costs and retain our well-trained, highly-skilled workforce.  Instead, insurance costs, which are already near the highest in the country, will dramatically increase, forcing more and more people out of state and worsen our already fragile economy.

The members of NJ Physicians urge the Governor to reject the bill."

NJ Physicians is an advocacy organization of physicians across all specialties of medicine. It works closely with business, labor, industry, and other physician and healthcare organizations to improve the quality, accessibility and affordability of healthcare for the citizens of our New Jersey.