One reason some legislators say they should support HB1204 is because it is in the RPA Platform. We applaud support for the RPA Platform, but that excuse is misdirected.
Below is the language in the RPA platform which is stated under the “Justice Reform” section. This section clearly addresses justice for the injured and not protection or even a bonus for the insurance industry as found in HB1204.
Real justice/judicial reform would first address medical freedom for all Arkansans as done in the June 8, 2024, RPA Platform (stated below as well).
Call your legislators on the Senate Judiciary Committee this AM and tell them vote “NO” on HB1204 — and pass something to protect them from big business and their government rather than continuing to give them (insurance companies) more taxpayer dollars at the expense of those in need.
2024 RPA Platform:
“We believe health care costs can be reduced by tort reform. Medical liability regulations and statutes should be revised by limiting the circumstances under which such cases may be properly pursued and the extent of damage claims involving pain and suffering. As such, we strongly support medical tort liability reform through an amendment to the state constitution. We further support the creation of a legal environment for pharmaceutical companies to develop new drugs and lower costs to consumers.”
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JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
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| Chair | Senator Alan Clark | alan.clark@senate.ar.gov | 501-844-6800 |
| Vice Chair | Senator Tyler Dees | tyler.dees@senate.ar.gov | 479-549-5057 |
| Senator Ben Gilmore | ben.gilmore@senate.ar.gov | 501-467-5952 | |
| Senator Blake Johnson | blake.Johnson@senate.ar.gov | 870-323-1766 | |
| Senator Matt McKee | matt@mattmckeeforarkansas.com | 501-622-0860 | |
| Senator Terry Rice | terry.Rice@senate.ar.gov | 479-637-3100 | |
| Senator Gary Stubblefield | gary.stubblefield@senate.ar.gov | 479-635-4314 | |
| Senator Clarke Tucker | clarke.tucker@senate.ar.gov | 501-246-4933 |
https://conduitnews.com/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2024/06/2024-RPA-Platform-6.8.2024-State-Convention-final-no-redlines.pdfhttps://conduitnews.com/2024/06/03/medical-freedom-what-is-it-and-do-we-need-it-in-the-rpa-platform/
In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are aware of the need to define and protect medical freedom. We embrace the definition (borrowed in part) from Clayton J. Baker, MD, published by the Brownston Institute, November 2023: Medical freedom is a moral, ethical, and legal concept, essential to the just and proper practice of medicine, that 1) asserts the individual person’s autonomy over his or her own body with regard to any and all medical treatment as absolute and inalienable (excluding that which would end the life of an unborn child); 2) physicians, public health officials, and employers do not possess the authority to deprive any citizen of their fundamental civil rights, including during a declared medical emergency; 3) the four fundamental pillars of medical ethics – autonomy, beneficence, non- maleficence, and justice – are essential to medical practice and must be observed at all times by all physicians, nurses, public health officials, researchers, manufacturers, and all others involved in health care. We support “medical freedom” legislation in Arkansas that attempts to address aspects of three problems that became obvious during the Covid-19 era. These are 1) the medical and public health infringement on citizens’ fundamental civil liberties, 2) the systematic and oppressive control and silencing of physicians during the pandemic, and 3) the apparently out-of-control, dangerous, and unethical research that spawned the pandemic in the first place.Healthcare is not a right; it is a service. As a compassionate society, we will aid those in need; however, a government takeover of healthcare is detrimental to the entire health care system. Arkansas Republicans support the freedom of every Arkansan to choose the health insurance plan that best suits his or her needs, as well as the freedom not to choose without the threat of reprisal from the federal government through taxes or fines.”
