URGENT FLORIDA: Veto SB7014 – Extends Lawsuit Protections Which Incentivizes One-sized Fits all Medical Care
Our Stand: At-A-Glance
- In March of 2021, Senate Bill 72 was passed and signed by the Governor. This bill created civil liability protections for individuals, businesses, governmental entities, and health care organizations against COVID-19-related claims for one year.
- Senate Bill 7014 was submitted in the 2022 session, it extends liability protections (that were created in SB72 last year) for hospitals until June of 2023. MOST IMPORTANTLY, it continues to grant lawsuit protections if they comply with government-issued health standards and follow the CDC protocols for Covid19.
- Health Freedom Florida does not believe in one-sized fits all medicine and has worked with multiple families helping guide them on how to get protocols changed or better care in a facility for advocates loved ones. We have seen first-hand how removing liability from a business never helps the individual.
- With Florida’s coronavirus state of emergency expiring in June of 2021 the question is, “where is the data that shows that this law needs to continue?”
- Another MAJOR concern is that these legal protections do not incentivize our health care providers to focus on high-quality care and preventions, instead they are “doing as they are told,” and not questioning protocols or seeking out new ones. They no longer listen to families or patient advocates, as they have no fear of retribution.
- Some who are opposed to the extension of this law are accusing lawmakers of putting big business interests ahead of regular Floridians’ needs and warn the current law couldshut the courthouse doors to even the worthiest cases. It will be harder for Plaintiffs to have their day in court against alleged negligent businesses and would prove to be costly litigation, even if they get a case.
- Because Health Freedom Florida is a pro-medical choice, grassroots organization, we are asking you to urge Governor Ron DeSantis to veto the bill. There is no data to prove its necessary, it has been rushed through session and is pushing some unsafe, not properly studied treatments, that families do not want their loved ones on. Incentivized, one-sized fits all protocols do not “save lives,” our legislature must go back to focusing on protecting the people, not the industry. Florida deserves better, we need mass action on this for DeSantis to veto the bill.

