The Association for Healthcare Risk Management of New York, Inc. (AHRMNY) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) educational organization incorporated in NY and governed by its elected officers and directors.  The mission of the organization is to enhance the quality of the delivery of health services and the professional practice of healthcare and healthcare related risk management.  The vision is to be the New York central source of information and leader in healthcare risk management and patient safety.  One of the goals is to be an influential voice to advocate for healthcare risk management and patient safety. In accordance with the strategic plan AHRMNY has pledged to advocate for policies & practices that improve patient outcomes and encourage viability and the accessibility of the healthcare system.  See strategic map.

Following the dynamic key note presentation by Tom Stebbins from the Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York (LRANY) on advocacy at the recent AHRMNY annual conference, AHRMNY took a further step in advancing the advocacy platform.  AHRMNY advocated against the proposed Lavern's law that would have extended the statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases in New York. The NY state legislative session has ended without voting on Lavern’s law, effectively killing the bill, at least for this year.  AHRMNY considered this proposed legislation important enough to voice concerns. Below you can view our website message which was also sent to our membership as an e-mail blast.

We are eager to advocate for meaningful issues that advance the mission of AHRMNY.  Please consider joining our efforts and become part of our voice.

Save NY’s Medical Liability System

Dear New York Healthcare Risk Management Community,

A bill to significantly extend NY State’s Medical malpractice statute of limitations is making its way through the NYS legislative branches. It has already been approved by the NYS Assembly and the Governor has stated he will sign it if approved by both branches of the legislature. Sponsored by Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, the bill (A.285) would expand the current statute of limitations -- which is generally 2.5 years after the occurrence -- by changing it to 2.5 years after the date that plaintiff discovered the alleged occurrence, with virtually no time limit. AHRMNY believes that this proposed bill or any legislative attempt(s) to lengthen the NYS statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims would be impractical, administratively burdensome, and perilous for hospitals and insurers for the following reasons:

1) It has the potential to significantly increase the frequency of medical malpractice claims;
2) It has the potential to throw the courts into endless arguments over statute of limitations issues;
3) It would effectively require medical practitioners and institutions to preserve medical records indefinitely;
4) It would make it nearly impossible for insurance carriers to predict their aggregate liabilities;
5) There is no tort reform tied to it.

We urge you to contact your state senators and request that they oppose this bill. Feel free to use any of the above argument and the below link to Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York.

Click here to tell your legislator to oppose it!

AHRMNY Board of Directors