‘My son died, and Florida law allowed it': Medical Malpractice bill vetoed
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The state's so-called 'free kill' law is here to stay.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that he is vetoing a bill that would have allowed more families to file wrongful death lawsuits against hospitals.
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The bill was aimed to close what supporters call a deadly legal loophole. DeSantis said he is protecting the state's health care system, but families today told us he's protecting the wrong people.
'My son Jo-Jo died, and Florida law allowed it,' said Marcy Shepler, a supporter of HB 6017.
A group of families gathered in downtown Tampa with stories that differ in detail, but the outcome is the same.
Family members said their loved ones died in Florida hospitals, and state law still denies them a chance to hold anyone accountable.
'One single signature could have restored justice for many families,' Sabrina Davis said.
The bill aimed to close a legal loophole that prevents some parents and children from suing for non-economic damages like pain and suffering when a loved one dies due to medical negligence.
'It will lead to higher costs for Floridians,' DeSantis said. 'It will lead to less access to care for Floridians, and it would make it harder for us to keep, recruit and maintain physicians in the state of Florida.'
'But what we saw today is that Governor DeSantis basically said that, you know, our loved ones are collateral damage in the health care system so that we can keep the health care and the insurance lobbyists' costs down,' said one HB 6017 supporter named Lauren.
DeSantis said the state needs caps to prevent costly lawsuits and protect access to care. But some families argues those same caps let hospitals avoid accountability.
'Well, now all they have to do is have the goal of let's make it cost more than the caps, and you're right back where you were,' Travis Creighton said.
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