A bill backers say is needed to stop fraud and lower costs in the state’s no-fault automobile insurance market passed another test Wednesday but not before it became evident that issues such as capping attorney fees, requiring doctors to testify under oath and limiting initial access to emergency rooms is splitting Republican members, a fracturing that could easily scuttle the bill.
By a largely party line vote, the House Civil Justice Subcommittee approved the measure, HB 119, which makes a number of changes to the state’s system of personal injury protection insurance, or PIP.
But even Republican members of the committee say they cannot support the measure in its current form, foreshadowing an upcoming battle pitting medical providers, insurers and attorneys and political party members against each other.
This is a developing story.
