House Bill 165

AN ACT TO CREATE A TASK FORCE TO EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF MEDICAL ERRORS ON THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS THEREON TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, ninety-eight thousand (98,000) Americans die each year as a result of preventable medical errors; and

WHEREAS, the cost in lost income, disability and health care costs is as much as Twenty-nine Billion Dollars ($29,000,000,000.00) annually; and

WHEREAS, more than twenty (20) states have laws or regulations regarding medical errors; and

WHEREAS, the Democratic and Republican parties have included reducing medical errors on their agenda as a priority; NOW THEREFORE,

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) There is created a task force to study the impact of medical errors on the citizens of the State of Mississippi. The task force shall make a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2003, including any recommended legislation.

(2) The task force shall be composed of the following ten (10) members:

(a) One (1) representative from each of the five (5) congressional districts to be appointed by the Speaker of the House for a total of five (5) representatives;

(b) One (1) senator from each of the five (5) congressional districts to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, for a total of five (5) senators.

(3) Appointments shall be made within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this act, and, within fifteen (15) days thereafter on a day to be designated jointly by the Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor, the task force shall meet and organize.

(4) The task force shall study and make recommendations regarding the impact of medical errors on the citizens of the State of Mississippi.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.