NH House Leaders Comment on Override of Early Offer Veto

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and House Majority Leader Pete Silva (R-Nashua) today released the following statement on the override of the Governor’s veto of Senate Bill 406, which would create an expedited process for those seeking malpractice claims. The bill was strongly supported by the New Hampshire Medical Association. The House overrode SB 406 247 to 111, within the necessary 2/3^rds of members present and voting.

House Speaker William O’Brien

“This makes New Hampshire the first state in the nation to give citizens the right to take an early offer of settlement and avoid the extra time required for trials. Early offer alternatives give patients the option to streamline the judicial process if they so choose, which could help lower the costs of healthcare, save valuable time, and avoid bogging down the court system. It is a valuable contributor to securing the rights of New Hampshire residents to be compensated for harmful medical errors. It’s disappointing the Governor couldn’t agree with us on giving more choice to New Hampshire citizens.”

House Majority Leader Pete Silva

“The average time it takes to settle a malpractice claim is four years. New Hampshire citizens now have a choice to work with their doctors for quick and fair resolve. This also gives more choices to those with smaller claims who before were ineligible to litigate.”