Shiawassee Times

State Rep. Ben Frederick (R-Owosso) is pushing for legal rights of health care workers during the COVID-19 crisis, according to the Michigan House Republicans website.

He said in a statement that health care professionals have taken drastic measures to be able to treat patients who have been infected with the coronavirus. He now wants to protect those employees from COVID-19-related lawsuits via Senate Bill 899 -- with the exception of cases involving willful misconduct, gross negligence or intentional infliction of harm.

His plea comes after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer rescinded an executive order that included medical liability protections. Now SB 899 would guarantee that health care workers are backed through the life of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Rep. Ben Frederick | Michigan House Republicans

“During this pandemic and every day, our health care heroes made incredible sacrifices to save the lives of others. Doctors, nurses and other medical workers should be commended for stepping forward to take on a tremendously challenging task during this public health crisis. We can have their backs by ensuring no provider is targeted with a lawsuit for doing their job to the best of their ability,” Frederick said on the Michigan House Republicans website. 

Frederick said he’s optimistic that Whitmer will get on board with this legislation.

“I’m hopeful the governor will partner with the Legislature to extend these protections to our health care professionals, who are doing their best to treat people under extraordinary circumstances. Without this, health professionals and hospitals could face years of costly and emotionally draining lawsuits, even bankruptcy. It simply wouldn’t be right,” Frederick told Michigan House Republicans.  

Frederick has been serving in the Michigan House of Representatives since he was first elected in November 2016, representing the 85th District, which includes Shiawassee County and the Southwestern area of Saginaw County. He’s the vice chair of the Health Policy Committee and sits on the Energy, Insurance and Regulatory Reform committees. He also sat on the Select Committee on Reducing Car Insurance Rates.