Video & Transcript Research : 'oncologists'
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NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Oct 6th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We will have expert radiation oncologists to work with that and offer clinical trials. of Diagnostics
- I know along the lines of recruitment and retention, our oncologist just left on September 30th to take
- fortunate in our personal situation to have had that team for a while, but it really hurt when the oncologist
- She was my oncologist many, many years ago, and like it or not, I'm Here because of her.
- This is what he wrote: "This last week, I had an appointment with my oncologist.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 01/30/25
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- money that's going to the endocrinologist who's treating somebody with diabetes, it's going to the oncologist
- money that's going to the endocrinologist who's treating somebody with diabetes, it's going to the oncologist
- money that's going to the endocrinologist who's treating somebody with diabetes, it's going to the oncologist
- <00:47:18.319>
who's <00:47:18.520>helping going to the oncologist who's helping going - to the oncologist who's helping somebody<00:47:19.040>
battle <00:47:19.559>cancer <00:
Summary:
The committee heard a reinsurance overview from Deputy Commissioner Julia Dryer of the Minnesota Department of Commerce on the Minnesota Premium Security Plan. She explained that reinsurance helps stabilize premiums in the individual market by reimbursing insurers for high-cost claims, and said Minnesota’s program has lowered premiums, preserved carrier participation, and helped maintain consumer choice. She warned that without continued funding, the program would be depleted and individual-market premiums could rise by about 25%, with potential losses in coverage and access to care. She also described the program’s structure under a federal 1332 waiver, the role of MCHA in administering the program, and the state’s receipt of more than $650 million in federal pass-through funds to date.
Dryer said the current program is funded through the end of 2025, though the federal waiver authority runs through 2027. The governor’s proposal would create a new assessment on insurers, estimated at roughly 2% to 3%, to fund the state share of the program and avoid another full waiver submission. She noted that the proposal assumes MinnesotaCare funding would be held harmless and that the program would be reduced if federal basic health plan funding were negatively affected. She also said projected costs changed because individual-market enrollment has grown and enhanced federal subsidies were removed from the estimate.
Members raised concerns about the proposal’s impact on premiums and the history of the fund. Senator Rasmusson argued the new assessment amounts to a large tax increase on health insurance and questioned who would be assessed and whether the surcharge would be capped. Dryer responded that the assessment would be based on annual claims experience and market conditions, with final amounts determined at the end of each year, not monthly. Senator Duckworth and Senator Frentz supported reinsurance as a way to keep premiums lower, while also questioning how the program should be financed. Senator Green asked about the mechanics of the assessment and the role of the department in setting it, and Senator H questioned why the fiscal note assumed 12% annual growth for program costs when general premium growth was lower. No vote or formal action was taken in the meeting.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (10-23-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Kentucky needs oncologists, neurologists, cardiologists, among various other specialties.
- Kentucky needs oncologists, neurologists, cardiologists, among various other specialties.
- Kentucky needs oncologists, neurologists, cardiologists, among various other specialties.
- Kentucky needs oncologists, neurologists, cardiologists, among various other specialties.
- Kentucky needs oncologists, neurologists, cardiologists, among various other specialties.
Summary:
The committee met on October 23, 2025, approved the September 25 minutes, and heard several informational presentations on occupational licensing and workforce access. The first major topic was the dietitian licensure compact, presented by Rep. Vanessa Gracel, Whitney Duddy, and Caitlyn Bison. They said the compact would be revenue-neutral, improve licensure portability, support military families, expand telehealth and rural access, and preserve state regulatory authority. Testimony noted that 15 states had joined the compact, including Ohio and Tennessee, and that Kentucky would have a seat on the compact commission if it enacted the measure. Members asked about bordering states and possible telehealth competition concerns; witnesses said they had not seen evidence of harmful effects in other compacts and described the compact as expanding access rather than displacing local providers.
The committee then heard testimony on music therapy licensure, with Chris Millet, Laura Elliot Buckner, and Dr. Kimberly Cinemore speaking in support of Senate Bill 42. They described music therapy as a clinical, board-certified profession requiring formal education, supervised training, and national certification, and argued that state licensure would protect the public, clarify scope of practice, and help retain Kentucky-trained professionals. Witnesses said the bill would not require new state funding, could be administered through a self-sustaining licensing structure, and would not prevent others from using music in their work. In response to questions, they said licensure could help open doors to insurance, waiver, and HSA reimbursement, but would not guarantee coverage.
Finally, the committee heard testimony on expanding physician access through a provisional licensure pathway for internationally trained physicians. Adam Meyer of the Cicero Institute said Kentucky faces a severe physician shortage, especially in rural areas, and argued that qualified international physicians should not have to repeat residency if they meet strict criteria, including an employment offer, prior training and experience, good standing, U.S. exam passage, and a three-year provisional period before full licensure. Rapender Carr of Baptist Health supported the concept, saying it could help fill hard-to-recruit positions across the state and improve access in rural markets. No votes were taken on these policy topics during the meeting.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a medical oncologist.
- I'm a surgical oncologist. benefited from a pre-radiation extraction of teeth, I certainly see the benefit
- I'm a surgical oncologist. "Married it." Yeah. I'm Mary Maluccia.
- I'm a surgical oncologist, and I am medical director of the rare cancer program under LCMC Health.
Summary:
The House Appropriations Committee met on May 26, 2026, and first took up Senate Bill 433, which would provide Medicaid coverage for certain weight-loss medications. After adopting a House amendment adding customary subject-to-appropriation language, the committee heard from LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein, who said the state currently spends about $240 million a year on GLP-1 drugs for Medicaid patients with obesity and certain other conditions, and that the bill would let the department expand coverage gradually while controlling costs and negotiating better pricing. Members spoke in strong support, and SB 433 was reported favorable as amended.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 157, which creates paid parental leave for eligible public K-12 educators and staff. An amendment was adopted to adjust fund language and make the bill proper for Appropriations. Senator Jenkins and supporters, including the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, described the bill as providing six weeks of paid leave for birth, adoption, fostering, and related family-building events, while members discussed whether medical leave should also be included and confirmed the leave applies to fathers as well. The bill drew broad support and was reported favorable as amended.
Senate Bill 250, requiring the Office of Group Benefits to offer a comprehensive weight management plan with employees paying the full premium and medication costs, was briefly discussed and reported favorable without objection. The committee then spent considerable time on Senate Bill 237, a child welfare measure from Senator Barrow that would expand notification, access, and investigative procedures for the Child Ombudsman and DCFS, including child-on-child sexual abuse cases and multidisciplinary fatality reviews. Members and agency officials debated the fiscal note, with estimates ranging from about $525,000 to $3.2 million and disagreement over whether some costs were already covered or could be absorbed; after a roll call, the bill passed 10-9 and was reported favorable as amended.
Finally, the committee began Senate Bill 155, which requires insurance coverage for medically necessary dental care tied to cancer treatment. Senator Talbot and medical and cancer advocacy witnesses said the bill would remove a barrier to timely chemotherapy or radiation and could prevent more expensive complications later. Members expressed support and discussed a relatively small fiscal note, but the transcript cuts off before final action on the bill.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a medical oncologist.
- I'm a surgical oncologist. And Senator Talbot is my senator, so I got beaten to the punch.
- I'm a surgical oncologist. "Married it." Yeah. I'm Mary Maluccia.
- I'm a surgical oncologist, and I am medical director of the Rare Cancer Program under LCMC Health.
Keywords:
registrar of voters, parish registrar, chief deputy registrar, confidential assistant, election administration, elections, salary schedule, compensation, merit evaluation, population-based pay, census-based pay, Department of State, Secretary of State, State Board of Election Supervisors, redistricting, senate districts, Senate District 33, Senate District 34, Senate District 35, precincts
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Dana-Farber's oncologist prescribed an FDA-approved drug as a second-line therapy for metastatic disease
- The plan required a consultation with our sub-specialized medical oncologist, where our physician ...
- required a consultation with our sub-specialized medical oncologist, where our physician had to commit
Summary:
The committee held a hearing on several health care access and insurance-related bills, with most testimony focused on H.1136 to improve the prior authorization process. The Massachusetts Medical Society, Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, Health Care for All, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, physicians, and hospital representatives all supported the bill, arguing that prior authorization delays care, increases administrative burden, contributes to clinician burnout, and can worsen patient outcomes. Witnesses described examples involving delayed cancer treatment, diabetes care, COPD medication, shingles pain treatment, and hospital discharge delays. They said the bill would preserve prior authorization but add guardrails such as longer validity periods, continuity-of-care protections, faster responses for urgent care, clearer lists of services requiring authorization, and more transparency and standardization.
The committee also heard testimony on H.1142/S.783 regarding equitable reimbursement for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), with Senator Lovely and CRNA advocates supporting parity with physician anesthesiologists. They said CRNAs provide the same services at the same standard of care, but private insurers sometimes reimburse them at lower rates than physicians, which they argued is inconsistent with federal and state policy and harms access. Senator Keenan testified in support of a bill addressing claim denials and appeals, saying insurers should provide clearer explanations, time to resubmit claims, and timely appeal responses. Dr. Lorraine Schratz supported H.1126 to align state patient disclosure requirements with federal No Surprises Act rules, and Dr. Michael Trimbley supported H.1120 to recognize direct primary care as not being insurance and to encourage primary care participation.
The committee also heard testimony on H.1140/S.801 to remove barriers to patient care by updating insurance statutes to reflect nurse practitioners’ full practice authority, and on H.1168/S.A.18 to eliminate the PCP referral requirement for specialty gynecological care. Witnesses on those bills described delays and denials affecting autism diagnosis, nutrition coverage, and endometriosis care, and said the proposals would reduce unnecessary barriers and improve timely access. After testimony and a few member questions, the chair closed the hearing; no votes were taken during the session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Health Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a thoracic medical oncologist at Dana-Farber, where I also serve as the associate chief of thoracic
- I'm a thoracic medical oncologist at Mass General.
- As a medical oncologist, like my colleague Dr.
- I, too, am a medical oncologist and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.
- I'm a radiation oncologist who's had the privilege of caring for thousands of lung cancer patients I'm
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Health heard testimony on a wide range of bills focused on children’s health, tobacco control, newborn screening, pediatric cancer, palliative care, and professional licensure. Early testimony highlighted Senate bills to expand newborn screening for pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency, lysosomal storage disorders, and congenital CMV, with families and clinicians describing severe diagnostic delays, missed treatment windows, and the benefits of early detection. Speakers also supported a bill to improve pediatric cancer research through a dedicated trust fund, and a bill to extend pediatric palliative care services to age 22, with parents and providers emphasizing continuity of care for seriously ill young people.
Several witnesses gave personal accounts in support of the newborn screening measures. Families described children who endured years of misdiagnosis before receiving diagnoses such as Gaucher disease, Fabry disease, Pompe disease, Niemann-Pick disease, and CMV, often after irreversible damage had already occurred. Medical and advocacy witnesses said Massachusetts already collects some of the relevant screening data and argued that results should be reported to families, while others urged the committee to add conditions to the state panel because effective treatments already exist. The committee also heard support for a bill to establish a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder program and training for providers.
On tobacco and youth health, testimony supported bills to ban internet tobacco sales, strengthen youth protections, and reduce lung cancer deaths through point-of-sale information and quit-line access. A student testified about easily purchasing flavored nicotine products online without meaningful age verification, and public health advocates backed measures to keep tobacco out of children’s environments. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to ensure parents have access to their children’s medical records through age 16, with exceptions for sensitive services already protected by law.
The committee additionally took testimony on an optometry licensure bill, where ophthalmologists opposed language they said could broaden scope of practice and allow optometrists to use the title “optometric physician,” while optometry educators and students supported the bill as a modernization measure with no scope expansion. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair repeatedly reminded speakers of time limits and noted that written testimony could be submitted for additional comments.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm sorry, medical oncologist, in the entire island.
- And as you may know, currently we have zero permanent medical oncologists in the Big Island, and there
- So therefore both HPH and Queens is considering this education or creation of the medical oncologist
- uh in the I'm sorry medical oncologist uh in the entire<02:29:52.319>
island <02:29:52.800> - <02:30:10.399>
as or creation of the medical oncologist as or creation of the medical oncologist
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 03/04/26
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Wade Swenson, the founder of the Rural Cancer Institute and current practicing rural oncologist.
- current Institute and current and current practicing<01:09:24.159>
rural <01:09:24.560>oncologist - <01:09:26.000>
His practicing rural oncologist. His practicing rural oncologist. - All three of the oncologists in Lakewood Health System are perfect examples.
- All three of the oncologists in Lakewood Health System are perfect examples.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 04/07/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Draheim's proposal to help train more oncologists in rural areas where there is a dire need for
- Senator Drehan's proposal to help train Senator Drehan's proposal to help train more<00:04:52.400>
oncologists - c> in<00:04:53.280>
rural <00:04:53.600>areas <00:04:54.000>where more oncologists - in rural areas where more oncologists in rural areas where there<00:04:54.400>
is <00:04:54.479
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- ovarian cancer. 9 years ago, I was given the diagnosis by UT Southwestern and MD Anderson and 9 other oncologists
- survivor of ovarian cancer. 9 years ago, I was told that I had 6 months to live by 9 different oncologists
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 4/14/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We know there was the bill from Chair Baker, jumping off from a prior year, to train rural oncologists
- the healthcare workforce that we may have concerns about in any given year, such as CNAs or rural oncologists
- so there are a number of oncologists so there are a number of examples<00:50:46.160>
of <00:50 - in any given year such as CNAs or about in any given year such as CNAs or rural<00:51:21.040>
oncologists - <00:51:21.839>
or <00:51:22.240>other <00:51:22.480>people rural oncologists
Keywords:
workers' compensation, Minnesota workers' compensation, Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, reinsurance association, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, WCRA, occupational disease, presumption, first responders, firefighter cancer, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, police officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician, correctional officer, security counselor, public safety dispatcher, temporary total disability, permanent partial disability
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation May 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The counter to that, I would say, is in general population, people—we have oncologists, and oncologists
- And there are oncologists who specialize in just seeing cancer patients and dealing with them.
- people we have on The counter to that, that I would say is in general population, people we have oncologists
- , and oncologists see people all day long.
- And there are oncologists who specialize in just seeing cancer patients in dealing with them.
Summary:
The committee held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision proposals for labor, public safety/judiciary, and transportation, and no votes were taken. In Part A on labor, the Employment Development Department reviewed proposals for EDD Next document management system funding, updated UI loan interest costs, disability insurance and paid family leave benefit and administration adjustments, WIOA funding changes, UI administrative and benefit changes, school employee benefit adjustments, an EMT training reappropriation, and a technical correction tied to EDD Next. PERB discussed funding tied to AB 28 and AB 1, including litigation-related workload and new jurisdiction over legislative employees. DIR presented proposals for legal unit reclassifications, two major IT modernization projects, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COIA reappropriation, and trailer bill language on electronic assessment payments and the DWC director salary cap. CalHR proposed additional funding for a consolidated employee assistance program contract, and CalPERS and CalSTRS presented budget adjustments tied to investment costs and state contribution changes.
Members focused heavily on UI debt and interest payments, asking the administration for a plan to reduce the outstanding loan and relieve employers. Finance said no specific repayment plan was included in the May Revision, while LAO said the state’s UI tax structure is structurally insufficient and that any debt payoff should be paired with tax-system reform. Senators also questioned EDD Next costs and timelines, PERB’s caseload and staffing needs, and DIR’s emerging technologies unit, with LAO noting that the unit would appear focused on physical workplace safety rather than broader AI labor issues. CalHR said the new EAP contract would consolidate services, improve access to clinicians, and lower costs relative to the current model. CalPERS defended higher external management fees as part of a strategy to pursue higher net returns, while some members pressed for more transparency about private investments; CalSTRS said it was not prepared to address investment-strategy questions at this hearing.
Public comment in Part A was dominated by advocates urging support for an immigration enforcement emergency relief fund, along with comments supporting the Jails to Jobs proposal, the Apprenticeship Innovation Fund, and additional PERB funding. The chair noted that many of the immigration-related requests might fall under other committees and said staff would follow up. In Part B, Finance and LAO outlined judicial branch and DOJ May Revision items, including funding for court interpreter services, appellate court security, lactation room implementation delays, courthouse construction reappropriations, and DOJ budget increases. LAO recommended approving the language-access proposal with a report on reducing interpreter cost growth and reducing the General Fund backfill for state court facilities by $10 million on an ongoing basis.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 2/23/26
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm what my oncologist calls an extraordinary responder.
- I tell my oncologist it's due to massage therapy.
- I'm<00:36:53.599>
what <00:36:53.839>my <00:36:54.079>oncologist <00:36:54.880>- > calls<00:36:55.359>
an I'm what my oncologist calls an I'm what my oncologist calls an extraordinary- it's due to massage I tell my oncologist it's due to massage therapy. therapy. therapy.
- > calls<00:36:55.359>
Keywords:
massage therapy, Asian bodywork therapy, massage therapist, Asian bodywork therapist, licensure, professional licensing, health occupations, Department of Health, commissioner of health, advisory council, protected title, unlicensed practice, scope of practice, consumer protection, background check, professional liability insurance, continuing education, credentialing examination, state preemption, municipal regulation
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I think in my career as a medical oncologist, I take care of breast cancer patients.
- I think in my career as a medical oncologist, I take care of breast cancer patients.
- I think in my career as a medical oncologist, I take care of breast cancer patients.
- I think in my career as a medical oncologist, I take care of breast cancer patients.
- amazed so again as a medical oncologist amazed so again as a medical oncologist I<01:18:03.080><
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Mar 18th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a medical oncologist from Dallas and have been in practice for 18 years.
- As an oncologist, I've had many conversations with patients about their cancer-related tests.
- Oncologists are trained to convey this information in a timely, informative, and supportive manner so
- An oncologist in Oregon. told me about a young adult patient who received test results showing her recurrent
Keywords:
immunization, written informed consent, civil liability, health care provider, vaccine compensation, administrative penalty, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement, pharmacy benefit manager, PBM, gag clause, prescription drug pricing, out-of-pocket cost, cash price, pharmacist, pharmacy, prescription drug benefit
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Patrick Stagg, I am the oncologist at LSU North Baton Rouge, and I'm on the advisory board of CAGLA,
- I am a medical oncologist and I run a North Baton Rouge underserved clinic.
- And for us as oncologists, we have to get dental care before we can actually start this bisphosphonate
Bills:
SB83, SB135, SB143, SB155, SB157, SB202, SB237, SB261, SB276, SB295, SB450, SB465, SB506, HB1070
Keywords:
human trafficking, trafficking prevention, school safety, public schools, elementary and secondary education, charter schools, mandatory reporting, victim identification, victim services, child trafficking, sex trafficking, labor trafficking, commercial sexual activity, DCFS, Department of Children and Family Services, Louisiana State Police, governor's office of human trafficking prevention, counselor training, mental health professional, administrator training
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Health and Public Affairs Feb 4th, 2026 at 06:25 pm
Senate Health & Public Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- So if an oncologist says you need this, it did not have to be an oncologist on the panel that made that
- decision because oncologists are administrative staff, and you know they're just working with cancer
Keywords:
prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- My oncologist had... of the committee. Lauren Kim for the of the committee.
- of the chances of infertility.<00:11:45.760>
Um <00:11:46.880>my <00:11:47.120>oncologist - <00:11:47.680>
had Sasha Diamond: My oncologist had recommended IVF due to the irreversible
Keywords:
cannabis, marijuana, Hawaii Cannabis Law, legalization, decriminalization, adult use, hemp, taxation, social equity, public health, primary care, health insurance, health carrier, insurance commissioner, Med-QUEST, Medicaid managed care, provider reimbursement, downcoding, prior authorization, utilization review
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 1864, which would require health insurance coverage for standard fertility preservation services for people undergoing medically necessary treatment, drew broad support from SHIPA, the Department of Health, HMSA, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, and others. Testifiers emphasized that fertility preservation is routine coverage on the mainland and important for patients facing infertility from cancer or other treatment; one patient described incurring more than $20,000 in costs. The Insurance Division flagged possible Affordable Care Act issues, a potential conflict in the bill’s language about using patient history to determine limits, and a mismatch with state medical-necessity standards. Committee discussion also focused on whether the bill should apply to all women of childbearing age rather than a narrower age-based category.
HB 2305 would require nutrition and metabolic education as part of physicians’ continuing medical education. The Hawaii Medical Board opposed the measure, arguing that CME should remain flexible and tailored to each physician’s specialty and warning that topic-specific mandates can expand over time. The Office of the Governor supported the bill, saying it would help the state’s rural health transformation application and could improve federal funding prospects, though the exact impact was unclear. Members questioned whether nutrition is already covered in medical training and whether the requirement should be limited to primary care physicians; the board said Hawaii currently has no topic-specific CME mandates and that physicians can already choose relevant courses.
The committee also heard strong support for HB 1597, which would establish an Alzheimer’s disease research center at the University of Hawaii. Supporters from the university, the Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, and others said the center could attract federal research dollars, expand clinical trials, and help address the state’s high Alzheimer’s-related health costs. HB 2159, which appropriates funds for health care workforce development, also received broad support from the University of Hawaii, health systems, and advocacy groups, with no opposition noted. Finally, HB 2121, which would prohibit the sale and distribution of disposable electronic smoking devices, drew support from the Department of Health, youth advocates, and public health groups citing youth addiction, environmental waste, and fire hazards; the department said a separate bill, HB 1573, would be more comprehensive and better defined for enforcement and penalties. The committee ended with HB 1913, creating a veteran services mental health coordinator position at Tripler Army Medical Center, which was supported by veteran services officials and others who said veterans need better navigation and coordination for behavioral health care.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
November 18, 2025 - 08:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- going to get worse with patients, perhaps, like getting a cancer diagnosis and required to see an oncologist
- It's going to be harder for them to find oncologists, OBGYNs, to treat them, knowing full well that it
Summary:
The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee met to consider one measure, PCS for HB 289, which would amend Florida’s wrongful death statute to allow parents of an unborn child to recover damages for the child’s wrongful death and to include parents in the definition of survivors. The sponsor said the bill is intended to give parents a remedy when a wrongful act, negligence, breach of contract, or breach of warranty causes the loss of an unborn child, while also preserving existing protections for lawful medical care and the mother. Members questioned the bill extensively about the meaning of “survivors,” whether it could reach surrogacy situations, friends or family who assist someone in obtaining abortion care, paternity issues, and whether abusive or unqualified fathers could bring claims. The sponsor repeatedly said the bill is limited to parents, does not authorize suits against the mother or lawful medical providers, and would still require the normal wrongful death procedures, including appointment of a personal representative. He cited Duncan v. Flynn as the case holding that current law does not allow recovery for the death of an unborn child.
Representative Gottlieb offered an amendment modeled on criminal-law protections, aimed at expanding explicit immunity for a pregnant woman and for persons providing medical care or abortion-related conduct with consent. Supporters of the amendment said it would better align civil law with criminal protections; opponents argued it was overly broad and could shield unlicensed conduct. The amendment failed on a voice vote. Public testimony was divided, with supporters from pro-life and Catholic organizations backing the bill and some asking to remove the health care exemption, while opponents from ACLU, Equality Florida, Planned Parenthood affiliates, Florida Voice for the Unborn, Voices of Florida, and others warned the bill could chill reproductive health care, increase liability for doctors and hospitals, and invite lawsuits involving surrogates, family members, and abortion-related care.
In debate, supporters said the bill simply recognizes the value of unborn children and gives parents a remedy for wrongful loss, while opponents argued it could create unintended consequences in family law, surrogacy, IVF, and medical practice, and could empower abusive partners or rapists. After closing remarks, the committee voted 13 yeas and 3 nays to report PCS for HB 289 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.