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.”

NH House Majority Leader Comments on Veto of Early Offer Bill

CONCORD – House Majority Leader Pete Silva (R-Nashua) today offered the following comment in response to news that Governor Lynch vetoed 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.

House Majority Leader Pete Silva

 “Senate Bill 406 would make 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 also would give another option to those citizens who are unable to litigate or who are forced to wait for years to do so. It’s disappointing the Governor wants to take this option away from our citizens.”

NH House Leaders Comment on Early Offer Bill

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and House Majority Leader Pete Silva (R-Nashua) released the following statement on the passage of the committee of conference report on Senate Bill 406, which establishes an early offer alternative in medical injury claims. SB 406 passed the House 220 to 141.

House Speaker William O’Brien

“Senate Bill 406 will create an expedited process for malpractice victims by streamlining the process. It also is strongly supported by the New Hampshire Medical Association. Early offer alternatives are one good step toward lowering the costs of healthcare.” 

House Majority Leader Pete Silva

“This will make New Hampshire the first in the nation to give citizens the right to take an early offer of settlement and avoid the extra time required for trials. This will reduce medical costs and give another option to those citizens who are unable to litigate or who are forced to wait for years to do so.”

NH House Leadership Statements on Passage of SB 170 (JUA funds)

CONCORD – The House today voted 252-53 to return any excess funds of the New Hampshire Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association (JUA) back to the doctors who contribute. House leaders released the following statements:

 “The JUA policyholders have a vested property right in the excess surplus funds. SB 170 ensures the rightful owners of the policy get their money returned to them. It also will be heard by the Ways and Means Committee to make sure there are no tax liabilities preventing the disbursement of the funds as specified by the bill,” said House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon).

 “Before they were voted out of office the Democrats tried to raid $110 million in the JUA fund to cover their fiscal irresponsibility in the state budget. This legislation ensures that such unconstitutional theft of private property will not happen in the future,” said House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt (R-Salem).

(Following the vote, SB 170 was referred to the House Ways & Means Committee)