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Bill

SB 340

An Act amending the act of March 20, 2002 (P.L.154, No.13), known as the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act, in medical professional liability, further providing for definitions and for expert qualifications.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dave Argall and 2 co-sponsors

SB 340 modifies Pennsylvania medical malpractice law by changing expert witness qualifications and key definitions, affecting who can testify and how medical liability cases proceed.

Referred to Judiciary
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 340

Legislative bill overview

SB 340 amends Pennsylvania's Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (MCARE) Act by modifying definitions and expert witness qualification standards in medical malpractice litigation. The bill specifically refines who can serve as expert witnesses and how they must be qualified when testifying in medical professional liability cases.

Why is this important

Medical malpractice cases fundamentally depend on expert testimony to establish standards of care and causation. Changes to expert qualification requirements directly affect which cases can proceed, how robust the evidence must be, and ultimately whether patients or providers prevail in disputes. This shapes access to justice for injured patients and liability exposure for medical professionals.

Potential points of contention

  • Expert witness standards: Stricter qualifications could make it harder for plaintiffs to find qualified experts (benefiting defendants), while looser standards might allow less rigorous testimony (benefiting plaintiffs)
  • Burden on healthcare litigation: Depending on the specific changes, this could either reduce frivolous cases or create barriers to legitimate claims
  • Definition clarity: Without seeing the exact amendments, changes to "definitions" could significantly alter how courts interpret medical negligence standards, affecting both patients and providers

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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