Congressman Cliff Stearns

Washington, Sep 23 -

“This legislation will protect medical professionals who volunteer their services at community health centers, which serve 20 million low-income Americans,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Sixth).   “This will encourage more doctors and nurses to volunteer their time and services without worrying about malpractice lawsuits.  Florida has a large seniors and retiree population, including many medical professionals.  This could encourage some of these senior health care providers to volunteer their skills at health centers.”

The House today approved H.R. 1745, the Family Health Care Accessibility Act, which applies the Federal Torts Claims Act (FTCA) to medical professionals who volunteer their services at community health centers. Explained Stearns, “Under the FTCA, all employees of federal health centers are protected from lawsuit as if they are employees of the federal government.   However, this legal protection only applies to employees of the health center.  Volunteers to the health center, especially medical professions who wish to volunteer at the health center, could be subject to medical lawsuits and would have to pay for their defense.  This measure removes a significant barrier discouraging physicians and others from volunteering their services.”