§ 63-1-1708.1B. Legislative findings - Purpose.

A.  FINDINGS:  The Oklahoma Legislature finds:

1.  EFFECT ON HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND COSTS.  That the medical liability system in this state is a mechanism for resolving claims of medical liability and compensating injured patients which affects patient access to health care services; and

2.  EFFECT ON STATE SPENDING.  That the medical liability litigation system existing in this state has an effect on the amount, distribution, and use of state funds because of:

a.the large number of individuals who receive health care benefits under programs operated or financed by the state through the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, and

b.the large number of Oklahoma health care providers needed to provide services for which the state makes payment through the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.

B.  PURPOSE.  It is the purpose of the Affordable Access to Health Care Act to implement reasonable, comprehensive, and effective medical liability reforms designed to:

1.  Improve the availability of health care services;

2.  Lower the cost of medical liability insurance;

3.  Ensure that persons with meritorious health care injury claims receive fair and adequate compensation; and

4.  Improve the fairness and cost-effectiveness of this state’s current medical liability system to resolve disputes over, and provide compensation for, medical liability.

Added by Laws 2003, c.390, § 2, eff. July 1, 2003.