Harrisburg Regional Chamber voices opposition to proposal to repeal venue shopping rule

The Harrisburg Regional Chamber recently submitted comments to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania’s Civil Procedural Rules Committee in opposition of its recent proposal to repeal Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1006 and the rule that prevents venue shopping in medical malpractice cases.

“Pennsylvania is home to a robust community of healthcare providers and hospital systems. We are fortunate, in the Harrisburg Region, to have world class healthcare options, doctors and specialists in our backyards,” the Chamber said in its position statement. “This is why the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC opposes repealing the venue rule for medical malpractice as it would only lead to higher costs of healthcare for Pennsylvania citizens, while driving doctors out of their practices or even the Commonwealth due to the high cost of medical malpractice insurance premiums.”

Under current rules enacted in the early 2000s, trials for medical liability claims must take place in the county where the alleged medical error occurred. This rule  is designed to prevent attorneys from moving medical liability claims to counties that award higher payouts, a practice known as venue shopping.

The Civil Procedural Rules Committee has proposed eliminating the rule and argued that it is no longer necessary.

“While the Chamber is appreciative that the Court has decided to wait in acting until receiving the report from the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee on this issue, the Chamber encourages the Court to consider the immense consequences of repealing the medical malpractice venue rule,” the chamber said in a press release.

The Chamber also issued a position statement with its regional counterparts from Lancaster, York, Greater Reading and Lebanon.