Gov. Ron DeSantis announces plans to veto HB 6017, a bill aimed at expanding medical malpractice claims, citing skyrocketing insurance premiums as the key issue
Gov. DeSantis draws line on malpractice lawsuits expansion
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared his intention to veto HB 6017, a controversial bill aimed at repealing a decades-old law that restricts non-economic damages in certain medical malpractice cases. During an appearance in Dade City on Thursday, DeSantis said the bill would drive up malpractice insurance premiums and open the floodgates to excessive litigation against healthcare providers.
"What that is going to do is lead to a flood of lawsuits against practitioners and hospitals. Malpractice premiums are going to go up," DeSantis stated, underscoring that his decision was influenced by widespread concern from healthcare professionals and hospital administrators.
Decades-old law at the heart of the debate
The legislation targets a 1990 law that prevents adults over 25 from seeking non-economic damages—such as pain and suffering—in lawsuits involving the medical malpractice-related deaths of their parents. Likewise, it bars parents from recovering such damages if their children over 25 die due to alleged medical negligence.
Supporters of the bill, many of whom have lost family members under these circumstances, argue that the law unjustly blocks their path to justice. "This is a 35-year-old law that needs to be repealed.… It’s unjust. It shouldn’t be on the books," said Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, who sponsored the Senate version.
The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support, passing the House with a 104-6 vote and the Senate 33-4. Yet, opposition from healthcare and business groups has been strong, fearing the financial and systemic impact of expanded liability.
A possible middle ground: damage caps
While DeSantis has promised a veto, he also opened the door to potential compromise. He floated the idea of placing caps on non-economic damages to balance the scales between justice and financial sustainability.
"If you had caps on the amount of damages, people could see that and would disincentivize a lot of jackpot justice," DeSantis said, referencing long-standing debates between trial lawyers and medical institutions.
The governor's approach reflects a nuanced perspective that supports victim rights while safeguarding the financial viability of the state's healthcare system.
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