Gov. Lamont faces calls to end nursing home lawsuit immunity during pandemic

An executive order issued by Gov. Ned Lamont that made health care facilities immune from COVID-19 lawsuits if they operated in “good faith” is not sitting well with some Connecticut residents.

News 12 Staff

Jan 29, 2021, 10:15 PM

Updated 1,411 days ago

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An executive order issued by Gov. Ned Lamont that made health care facilities immune from COVID-19 lawsuits if they operated in “good faith” is not sitting well with some Connecticut residents.
He’s now under pressure to end the immunity as a way of making nursing homes more accountable for their actions.
However, health care facilities are still liable for gross negligence and criminal acts. Matthew Barrett, of the Connecticut Association of Health Care Facilities says, “there is no blanket immunity.”
"Most of the residents have been vaccinated and we've seen the numbers go down, according to the governor's office. Do we really still need this?” he asked.
State lawmakers are looking at ending the immunity. Gov. Lamont is considering it too.
“It may be that time,” he said. “But you had the previous question about these super-spreader, highly infectious variants that are coming around. So obviously, that adds to a risk profile.”
The AARP says families deserve better.
"If someone was not getting the care that's required by law, without the civil immunity, because of short staffing, the list goes on and on…You could have, before, sued,” says Nora Duncan, of AARP Connecticut.
Gov. Lamont's emergency powers now run through April 20.