Protect Volunteer Health Workers

What's happening

Why it matters

1. 1

   Expands volunteer participation. By removing the requirement for health care practitioner volunteers to secure their own professional liability insurance, the bill lowers barriers for medical professionals who wish to volunteer, potentially increasing the number of providers available for underserved communities or during emergencies.

2. 2

   Shifts liability coverage responsibility. Designating volunteers as "employees" under the Public Officers Law means the state assumes responsibility for their legal defense and liability in the event of malpractice claims arising from their volunteer work, reducing personal financial risk for volunteers.

3. 3

   May impact state resources and risk pool. The shift could increase the state's exposure to lawsuits and associated costs, as more medical malpractice claims involving volunteers would be handled by the state, potentially affecting taxpayers and state insurance pools.

4. 4

   Encourages broader access to care. By making it easier for practitioners to volunteer without fear of personal liability, the bill could facilitate more frequent and diverse volunteer-driven health initiatives, expanding access to care for populations with limited health care options.

Who cares

• Health care practitioner volunteers

  The bill would remove the requirement for adequate professional liability insurance to participate in the volunteer program and deem participants state employees for purposes of Public Officers Law section 17 for acts or omissions within their program role.

• Health care practitioner volunteer program administrators

  The bill would replace the insurance coverage condition for participation with employee status under section 17 for program-related acts or omissions.

• Professional liability insurers

  The bill would eliminate the program’s requirement that participating practitioners carry adequate professional liability coverage.

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