Mar. 5--The House overwhelmingly passed a bill capping how much victims of medical malpractice can receive for pain and suffering.

Rep. Brian King, D-Salt Lake City, who is a lawyer, argued fervently that Utah already has an assortment of provisions in place to make malpractice claims difficult and has a low rate of claims.

"There simply is no need for this bill," said King, who argued that Utah's laws would act as an "attract-a-hack" for shoddy doctors.

"Come to Utah, we're going to make sure you're less likely to be accountable for your lousy practices as a physician than just about any other state in the country," said King, who also challenged the conservative Patrick Henry Caucus for not standing up for the Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial.

But Rep. Brad Last, R-St. George, called it a compromise bill worked out with the trial lawyers association and said "attract-a-hack" works for both "hack" lawyers and doctors.

The bill would limit malpractice awards for pain and suffering at $450,000 -- down from the current $480,000 level that is adjusted for inflation -- and protect hospitals from mistakes made by a doctor.

In the end, the House passed the bill 67-6.

The Senate must still agree to a technical amendment added by the House before it goes to the governor. Herbert's office has advocated for its passage and will likely sign the bill, said his spokeswoman, Angie Welling.

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