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Medical Malpractice: Federal Tort Claims Act Coverage Could Reduce Health Centers' Costs

HEHS-97-57 Published: Apr 14, 1997. Publicly Released: Apr 14, 1997.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO reviewed the implementation of Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) coverage for community health centers, focusing on the: (1) health centers' use of FTCA coverage; (2) status of claims filed against FTCA-covered centers through March 21, 1997; and (3) Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) management of FTCA for community and migrant health centers, and its efforts to reduce claims through risk management programs.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Health and Human Services The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Administrator, HRSA, to develop a comprehensive risk management plan, including procedures to capture claims information and to identify problem-prone clinical procedures, practitioners, and centers.
Closed – Implemented
HHS has established a Center for Risk Management within the Bureau of Primary Health Care with 3 dedicated FTEs. The Center carries out the risk management strategy recommended, and operates a database tracking the claim information recommended.

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Topics

Health Care
Claims settlementCommunity health servicesDamage claimsGovernment liability (legal)Health centersInsurance cost controlLiability insuranceMalpractice (medical)Migrant health servicesRisk management