Tampa, Fla. (WFLA) – The state’s so-called “free kill” laws are here to stay.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that he was rejecting a bill that would allow more families to file illegal death lawsuits against the hospital.
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The bill was intended to close what supporters call a fatal legal loophole. DeSantis said he is protecting the state’s health care system, but his family told us today that he is protecting the wrong people.
“My son, JoJo, has passed away and Florida law allows that,” said Mercy Sheppler, a supporter of HB 6017.
A group of families gathered in downtown Tampa has a different story in detail, but the results are the same.
The family says their loved one died in a Florida hospital, and state law still denies the opportunity to hold anyone accountable.
“One signature could have restored justice for many families,” Sabrina Davis said.
The bill aimed to close legal loopholes that prevented some parents and children from sue non-economic damages such as pain and suffering when their loved one dies due to medical negligence.
“That would lead to higher costs for Floridians,” DeSantis said. “It will reduce access to Florida care and make it difficult to maintain, recruit and maintain Florida doctors.”
“But what we saw today is that Governor DeSantis essentially said that our loved ones are collateral losses in the health system and can help keep costs down for healthcare and insurance lobbyists,” said an HB 6017 supporter named Lauren.
Desantis said the state needs a cap to prevent expensive litigation and protect access to care. However, some families have argued that the hospital is the same cap to avoid accountability.
“Well, all they have to do now is have a goal of costing more than caps.
