Federal Legislation Would Mean Critical Liability Protections for Healthcare Professionals during COVID-19 National Emergency
(Rockville, MD, May 29, 2020) The Medical Professional Liability Association (MPL Association)
President and CEO Brian K. Atchinson issued the following statement about the Coronavirus Provider
Protection Act (H.R. 7059), legislation to provide limited liability protections to health professionals and
facilities during the COVID-19 outbreak that was introduced by Representatives Phil Roe, MD, (R-TN)
and Lou Correa (D-CA):
“With many states focusing on reopening, the situation for America’s medical community remains far
from business as usual. Unfortunately, healthcare professionals will continue to face many threats in
the coming months and even years, including the specter of medical liability lawsuits stemming from
care already provided and health services that will be performed as restrictions ease.
We commend Representative Roe and Representative Correa for introducing the Coronavirus Provider
Protection Act, bipartisan legislation that would provide narrowly tailored civil liability protection for
healthcare professionals and facilities during the COVID-19 national public health emergency and for a
limited time period afterward. This bill would help protect the very healthcare professionals who have
worked tirelessly on the frontlines of this health catastrophe to save countless lives at great personal
risk.
The MPL Association will continue to build bipartisan support in Congress in order to pave a path
forward for the enactment of this measure.”