This bill proposes the repeal of Section 9-19-34.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 9-19, which pertains to the collateral source rule in medical malpractice actions. The collateral source rule previously allowed defendants in personal injury cases against healthcare providers to introduce evidence of benefits received by the plaintiff from various sources, such as insurance or workers' compensation. It also provided a mechanism for the jury to reduce damage awards based on the benefits received, while ensuring that plaintiffs would not have to reimburse first-party payors for those benefits.

By eliminating this section, the bill effectively removes the ability of defendants to present such evidence in medical malpractice cases, thereby changing the way damages are calculated and awarded in these situations. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5903: 9-19-34.1