VOCA : A Collection of Briefs from the State Capitol

A Collection of Briefs from the State Capitol

May 2, 2007

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - State lawmakers moved closer Wednesday to making the medical malpractice records of any medical professional in Connecticut, including chiropractors, open to the public.

The House of Representatives voted unanimously in favor of the legislation. It already passed in the Senate and now awaits Gov. M. Jodi Rell's signature.

Under current law, insurers of physicians, surgeons, advanced practice registered nurses or physician assistants must provide the state insurance commissioner with information about malpractice claims that have been disposed of or settled. That information is posted on the insurance department's public web site.

A group of patients injured by their chiropractors lobbied for the legislation. They argued that they have the right to know about any potential risks before seeing a chiropractor for services.

"We are delighted that legislators agree the people of our state have a right to make informed decisions about their health care," said Janet Levy, President of Victims of Chiropractic Abuse, who suffered a stroke after a chiropractic neck manipulation five years ago. "If this bill is signed into law chiropractors will no longer be able to hide under the radar."

Chiropractors originally complained they were being unfairly singled out. The bill was later expanded to include other health professionals.