Bills Still Active in Iowa: Medical Malpractice Caps, Limits on 911 Call Access

Legislation capping recoveries in medical malpractice awards and a bill that would limit public access to 911 call information are still alive the Iowa Legislature.

Medical Malpractice Caps

The legislation would limit financial recoveries for pain and suffering in medical malpractice lawsuits to $250,000. Similar measures have been declared unconstitutional in 11 other states, but some courts have upheld the efforts. Medical malpractice victims have criticized the bill, calling it an unconstitutional abuse of power by the Legislature, while supporters say lower medical liability premiums would make Iowa appealing for physicians.

Access to 911 Calls

This measure would eliminate the public’s right to access 911 calls involving emergencies in which people are injured, sealing key information about public safety. The bill declares that 911 calls involving injured victims are medical records and exempt from Iowa’s open records law. That means authorities’ initial response to shootings, stabbings and many other incidents would face less scrutiny. Calls involving minors would automatically be confidential, a point that lawmakers have focused on in their support for the bill.

The bill declares that 911 calls involving injured victims are medical records and exempt from Iowa’s open records law. That means authorities’ initial response to shootings, stabbings and many other incidents would face less scrutiny.

Calls involving juveniles would all be confidential.

GOP Rep. Dean Fisher says the legislation comes in response to the release of 911 calls to The Associated Press last year that exposed a string of gun accidents in Tama County that killed two teens and injured a third.

Fisher says medical privacy outweighs the public’s right-to-know.

Topics Legislation