Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell vetoed a bill that would increase the cap on medical malpractice awards in Virginia from $2 million to $2.05 million starting in 2012, and then $50,000 a year until 2031.
The measure sailed through both the House and the Senate, and so the General Assembly would appear to have enough votes to override the governor’s action when it reconvenes on April 6.
Del. Dave Albo, R-Fairfax, and Sen. Henry Marsh, D-Richmod, helped stakeholders work out a compromise on the measure prior to this year’s legislative session.
But McDonnell said absent more meaningful reforms, increasing the cap over the next 20 years would not significantly protect against health care cost increases.
“While I commend the affected stakeholders for working diligently together, increasing the medical malpractice cap will ultimately lead towards higher health care costs for doctors, hospitals, businesses and, most importantly, patients,” McDonnell said.
The issue often pits the two major political parties against one another; Republicans have repeatedly lobbied for tort reform and caps on awards while Democrats have generally opposed such limits.
