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Committee hears competing evidence on SJR 8 to let Legislature cap damages
Summary
Senator Hester told the committee SJR 8 would let the Legislature set punitive and non-economic damage caps; supporters said caps help recruit doctors and businesses, while opponents and public witnesses argued Arkansas data do not show outsized malpractice rates and warned caps could limit victims' compensation.
Senator Hester told the Senate State Agencies Committee that SJR 8 would allow the General Assembly to establish caps on punitive and non-economic damages. "If we value human life in Arkansas, we'll pass these economic or non economic damages caps so that we can get doctors here to care for our mothers," Hester said during his presentation.
Proponents framed the measure as an economic and health-care competitiveness tool. Hester cited…
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