As part of the landmark agreement to modernize California’s Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA), proponents of the so-called Fairness for Injured Patients Act (FIPA) today withdrew the initiative from the November ballot, precluding a costly political battle.

“Withdrawing the initiative is an important step in the MICRA Modernization agreement and is an example of what is possible when two opposing sides come together and negotiate in good faith,” says California Medical Association (CMA) President Robert E. Wailes, M.D. “We appreciate the ballot measure proponents for delivering on their promise and we look forward to this watershed agreement becoming law, to ensure the future stability of our health care delivery system, while providing fair compensation for injured patients."

The landmark agreement was reached by Californians Allied for Patient Protection (CAPP)—the large and diverse coalition working to protect access to health care through MICRA—along with the initiative’s proponents and the Consumer Attorneys of California, the state’s largest organization representing plaintiffs’ attorneys. The agreement was codified in Assembly Bill 35, which passed through the California Legislature with nearly unanimous support, demonstrating broad bipartisan support.

The initiative cannot be returned to the November 2022 ballot. AB 35 is now on the governor’s desk awaiting his signature.

For more information, visit cmadocs.org/micra.