Gov Corbett to sign bill allowing doctors to apologize

Medical professionals will soon be able to apologize to patients without it being used against them in court. After receiving unanimous support among lawmakers in the House and Senate, Gov. Corbett said he will sign the "benevolent gesture" bill Wednesday. The bill, similar to those approved in at least 36 other states including New Jersey, allows health-care providers - including doctors, hospitals, and nursing homes - to apologize when a procedure does not go as planned. Currently doctors and hospitals have been forced to take a "deny and defend" stance in cases in which there was an adverse outcome, said Stuart H. Shapiro, president of the Pennsylvania Health Care Association/Center for Assisted Living Management.