A provision tucked into the U.S. House Democratic budget bill would put taxpayers on the hook to cover costs associated with personal injury lawsuits – a major win for the Trial Bar if it passes. As noted in a Legal Newsline article, the bill as drafted would “alter IRS rules allowing trial lawyers to deduct the expense…
Coalition Updates: Health Care
Open Commonwealth Court Seat Goes to Recount
The results of the 2021 General Election have yet to be finalized after a recount was triggered for one of the two open Commonwealth Court seats that appeared on the ballot. The race between sitting Republican Commonwealth Court Judge Drew Crompton and Democratic Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas Judge Lori Dumas hinges on a…
Voters Can Bring Balance to PA’s Supreme Court on November 2
The 2021 General Election is just a few days away. This year, Pennsylvania voters will have an opportunity to bring some much needed balance to the state Supreme Court. Unfortunately, over the past five years, the Commonwealth’s highest court has handed down numerous decisions that have had a negative impact on jobs, healthcare access, and Pennsylvania’s overall…
PCCJR’s “2021 Judicial Voter Guide” a Key Resource for Voters
The 2021 General Election is on November 2, just a few weeks away. With open seats on the state Supreme, Superior, and Commonwealth Courts, there is a lot at stake. In order to help voters make informed decisions when they cast their ballot, PCCJR has created its 2021 PA Judicial Voter Guide. Developed to be a helpful resource for…
Does an Imbalance on the Civil Rules Committee Spell Doom for PA’s Medical Liability Venue Rule?
Nearly twenty years ago, in an effort to combat a medical liability crisis in the Commonwealth, Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1006(a.1) was enacted. This rule requires medical professional liability actions against health care providers to be brought only in the county where the cause of action arose. Prior to this change in 2002, Pennsylvanian physicians were…
PCCJR Legislation Amending the Unfair Trade Practices Act Introduced by Rep. Kauffman
Legislation championed by PCCJR that would amend the Unfair Trade Practices Act has been introduced in the House by Rep. Rob Kauffman, R-Franklin. The legislation, H.B. 1891, is in response to the state Supreme Court’s decision in Gregg v. Ameriprise, which expanded the scope of liability under the Act’s “catch-all” provision. In a split 4-3 decision the Court held that the…