May 12, 2022
California Medical Association (CMA) President Robert E. Wailes, M.D., issued the following statement on the California Assembly's unanimous passage of AB 35:
"The Assembly’s passage of AB 35 today is an immense achievement that will usher in a new era of stability around malpractice liability in California for decades to come. This legislation will ensure that MICRA’s essential guardrails remain solidly in place for patients and providers and ensure that our health care delivery system remains accessible and affordable for Californians, while providing fair compensation to injured patients.
The California Medical Association is proud to have been part of this once in a generation opportunity to achieve a meaningful consensus that will ensure our state’s most vulnerable patients will have continued access to safe, affordable health care.
AB 35 is a prudent and patient focused agreement that provides long-term predictability and affordability of medical liability insurance, protects existing safeguards against skyrocketing health care costs, and will make it possible for physicians and patients to have a full and open conversation after an unforeseen outcome, leading to greater accountability, patient safety and trust."