Bill Overview
Title: Seaman Danyelle Luckey Military Medical Accountability Amendment Act of 2022
Description: This bill authorizes claims by members of the uniformed services for an act or omission constituting medical malpractice that occurs onboard a naval aircraft carrier or amphibious ship that, at the time of occurrence, was not engaged in combat operations.
Sponsors: Rep. Speier, Jackie [D-CA-14]
Target Audience
Population: Uniformed service members on naval aircraft carriers/amphibious ships
Estimated Size: 400000
- The bill applies to members of the uniformed services, focusing on medical malpractice cases.
- Claims can only be made if the malpractice occurred onboard naval aircraft carriers or amphibious ships.
- The bill specifies that the ship must not be engaged in combat operations at the time.
- There are approximately 1.3 million active-duty military personnel in the United States, many of whom may serve on such ships at some point in their careers.
- While not all military personnel serve on naval craft, a significant portion is in the Navy and Marine Corps.
Reasoning
- The population targeted by this policy includes active-duty military personnel who could be affected by medical malpractice on naval aircraft carriers and amphibious ships.
- Given the focus of the bill, the potential impact may vary, with those directly involved more heavily impacted than others.
- The policy budget is limited, suggesting only a small fraction of those potentially eligible might make claims, especially in the first year.
- The policy primarily affects well-being through improved medical accountability, which may increase peace of mind for service members about seeking medical care.
- Interviews with a range of service members provide insights into the wide spectrum of potential impacts, from direct beneficiaries to those unaffected.
Simulated Interviews
Navy Pilot (San Diego, CA)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad the policy is being implemented, medical accountability is crucial.
- I've seen firsthand medical issues being mishandled on ships.
- The act encourages me to seek medical help on-site without fear.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Marine Corps Officer (Norfolk, VA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a necessary step, but I haven't been directly affected.
- The assurance of medical accountability is reassuring, but I rarely use carrier medical services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Navy Doctor (Honolulu, HI)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Accountability is essential, but there's concern about overloading the system with claims.
- It's likely to increase pressure and documentation burden on medical staff.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Navy Nurse (Pearl Harbor, HI)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy makes me feel more comfortable about reporting incidents.
- I expect an improvement in procedures and care standards onboard.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Marine Corps Logistics Officer (Jacksonville, FL)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I had a bad experience once, which makes me anxious.
- This act gives me hope for better medical practice accountability in the future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Navy Engineer (Newport News, VA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Important for those with more regular medical needs onboard.
- I think it's beneficial even if I won't be directly impacted.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Navy Medic (San Diego, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A good policy to hold standards high and accountable.
- Makes me proud of our standards but I doubt I'll see a change day-to-day.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Marine Corps Infantry (San Diego, CA)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It impacts us directly. Something needs to be done, when loved ones are affected it matters.
- I can see changes boosting wellbeing like mine over time especially for families.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Navy Communications Specialist (Guam)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Good for peace of mind and instilling trust in naval healthcare systems.
- Indirectly impacts me through improved morale overall.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Navy Cook (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hear good things about this policy but haven't felt direct need or impact yet.
- Likely to enhance overall trust in our systems, which is positive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $800000000)
Year 2: $500000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $800000000)
Year 3: $500000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $800000000)
Year 5: $520000000 (Low: $320000000, High: $820000000)
Year 10: $550000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $850000000)
Year 100: $600000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $900000000)
Key Considerations
- The uniformed service members potentially affected are limited to those serving on naval aircraft carriers and amphibious ships during non-combat operations.
- Medical malpractice claims in the military context may involve different considerations compared to civilian claims.
- The policy change may result in increased attention to medical procedures and accountability aboard these vessels.