A bill for an act relating to medical malpractice claims, including expert witness certificate of merit affidavits, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

Iowa Senate Study Bill 1136, introduced on February 18, 2025, aims to modify procedures in medical malpractice lawsuits by requiring plaintiffs to submit a notarized certificate of merit affidavit from each expert witness within 60 days after the defendant's answer. This affidavit must confirm that the claim has merit concerning the standard of care, any breach of that standard, and causation. The bill also includes provisions for its immediate enactment and applicability to causes of action arising on or after its effective date. ([legiscan.com](https://legiscan.com/IA/text/SSB1136/id/3127694?utm_source=openai))

While specific media coverage on Senate Study Bill 1136 is limited, similar legislative efforts in other states have been reported. For instance, in December 2023, TIME magazine highlighted how rising malpractice insurance premiums were impacting small clinics' ability to offer gender-affirming care to minors. This suggests that legislative changes affecting medical malpractice procedures can have significant implications for healthcare providers and patients. ([time.com](https://time.com/6549690/rising-malpractice-premiums-price-small-clinics-out-of-gender-affirming-care-for-minors/?utm_source=openai))

Although direct media coverage on Senate Study Bill 1136 is scarce, the TIME magazine article from December 2023 underscores the potential negative consequences of such legislative changes. The article discusses how increased malpractice insurance costs are leading small clinics to cease offering certain services, indicating that similar legislative actions could adversely affect healthcare accessibility and provider operations. ([time.com](https://time.com/6549690/rising-malpractice-premiums-price-small-clinics-out-of-gender-affirming-care-for-minors/?utm_source=openai))