US rep. to renew bill over military medical suits

TAMPA, Fla. – A congressman says he'll renew efforts to remove malpractice liability shields for military hospitals after the U. S. Supreme Court declined to hear the latest case that could have done away with the protections.

Without comment, the Supreme Court refused on Monday to hear a California case that activists had considered their best chance in a generation to strip military hospitals of protections against lawsuits when they make mistakes while treating service members.

U.S. Rep Maurice Hinchey said Tuesday he'll reintroduce legislation to abolish the law, known as the Feres Doctrine. The New York Democrat pushed the legislation unsuccessfully in 2009.

Supporters of the law say opening up the military to lawsuits would be expensive and benefit trial lawyers more than service families.