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Medical malpractice bills before Senate committee

Steve Carmody/Michigan Radio

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A hearing is scheduled in Lansing on Wednesday on a package of bills that would prevent some patients from suing doctors for malpractice.

The hearing is 8 a.m. before the state Senate Insurance Committee in Lansing.

Leaders of the 16,000-member Michigan State Medical Society say the Patients First Reform Package closes a legal loophole that allows unnecessary suits to be filed and prevents trial lawyers from artificially inflating awards.

Opponents say that one of the bills eliminates financial consequences for physicians who make mistakes that lead to the injury or death of patients.

If the committee passes the package of bills, they could go before the full Senate for a vote Wednesday.

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting.