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Governor Scott Signs Sovereign Immunity Bill at UM/Jackson

President Donna E. Shalala, center, thanks the bills many advocates as Governor Rick Scott, far right, applauds and Dean Pascal J. Goldschmidt, far left, and Carlos Migoya, CEO of Jackson Health System, shake hands.

Florida Governor Rick Scott, flanked by dozens of UM faculty physicians at Jackson Memorial Hospital on July 1, ceremoniously signed a law that extends sovereign immunity protection to private university physicians who treat patients at public hospitals.

UM President Donna E. Shalala, thanking the Miami-Dade delegation for shepherding the long-sought bill through the Florida Legislature, said the law, which took effect after its passage last month, will ensure the future of the state’s physician work force and the continued care of its most vulnerable residents.

“This bill protects Florida medical schools and public teaching hospitals by appropriately extending sovereign immunity to faculty physicians at public teaching hospitals,’’ President Shalala said. “Teaching hospitals like ours get the rarest and most medically challenging cases … and they need to be able to attract and retain the full spectrum of top specialists. That’s the importance of this legislation for us.’’

With Miller School Dean Pascal J. Goldschmidt at her side, President Shalala also thanked the bill’s many advocates, including those at Jackson Health System, the American Medical Association, the Florida Nursing Association, Florida International University and officials in Miami-Dade County, the city of Miami and independent colleges and universities.

Governor Scott, who said he used to visit Jackson to try to recruit UM’s top-notch doctors to the health care company he led, Columbia/HCA, said lawmakers succeeded in passing the bill because they were focused on what’s important to patients: reducing costs, better access, and better outcomes.

“Everybody cared about making sure Jackson did well and that this community does well in regard to health care and because of that we have this bill today,’’ he said.

Hailing the bill for “leveling the playing field,” Carlos Migoya, CEO of Jackson Health System, said “it will help us transition to the future of health care along with our academic affiliates at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and the Florida International University Wertheim College of Medicine.’’

The bill’s sponsor, State Representative Frank Artiles, said he was privileged to sponsor the important piece of legislation in his freshman year. “I am proud to report that teaching hospitals will continue to play a vital role in our communities by providing access to quality, affordable health care,’’ Artiles said.

 

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