Malpractice initiative dies

Friday, March 14, 2003 | 9:55 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- An initiative petition signed by 96,000 voters to tighten medical malpractice laws died today in the Legislature without ever coming to a vote.

The Legislature had 40 days to act on the petition sought by a group called Keep Our Doctors In Nevada, and the deadline expired today. It will now go on the election ballot in 2004.

"This personally bothered me," said Dr. Rudy Manthei of Las Vegas, who was the main force behind the petition.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, said the committee was prohibited by law from making any changes on the initiative.

"There was no ability to make amendments," he said.

The committee will continue to work on Senate Bill 97, identical to the initiative petition.

During a hearing Thursday, Manthei was questioned by Sen. Terry Care, D-Las Vegas, on whether the doctors would be willing to withdraw their support of the initiative petition if the Legislature came up with another acceptable bill.

"I'm willing to work to create a comprehensive reform," Manthei said. "I'm willing to look at any recommendations."

One section of the initiative petition imposes a $350,000 cap on pain and suffering damages to someone who is injured by a doctor. The present law allows some exceptions to the $350,000 limit.