McNamara proposes benevolent-gesture bill

PROVIDENCE – Rep. Joseph M. McNamara, D-Warwick, is again sponsoring legislation that will make benevolent gestures by a health care provider – such as saying “I’m sorry” or expressing other forms of sympathy – inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability in a civil action.
In a statement, McNamara said the legislation is aimed at ensuring that health care professionals aren’t forced to remain silent at times when they would like to express feelings of care, concern and sympathy toward patients and their families.
Similar bills have failed in the past, including one sponsored by McNamara last year. •