Expand / Collapse search
☰

Gov. DeSantis vows to veto bill on medical malpractice lawsuits

By
Published  May 29, 2025 8:05am EDT
Ron DeSantis
FOX 35 Orlando
Florida Gov. DeSantis to veto 'free kill' bill

Florida Gov. DeSantis to veto 'free kill' bill

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced his plans to veto a bill concerning medical malpractice lawsuits, specifically regarding the recovery of damages for adult children in cases of medical negligence resulting in death. The bill being vetoed is HB 6017, which seeks to repeal a 1990 Florida law that restricts who can sue for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, in medical malpractice cases when the victim is 25 years or older. Critics of the law refer to it as the "free kill" law.

The Brief

    • Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the State Surgeon General and other health leaders hosted a news conference on Thursday morning in Fort Myers.
    • At the event, DeSantis announced his plans to veto a bill concerning medical malpractice lawsuits, specifically regarding the recovery of damages for adult children in cases of medical negligence resulting in death.
    • DeSantis also shared positive opinions on the announcement U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made earlier this week that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women.

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced his plans to veto a bill concerning medical malpractice lawsuits, specifically regarding the recovery of damages for adult children in cases of medical negligence resulting in death. 

DeSantis also positively praised the announcement U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made earlier this week that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women.

DeSantis makes veto announcement

What we know:

The announcement was made at a press conference held Thursday morning in Fort Myers.

At the news conference, DeSantis was joined by health leaders, including Florida Department of Health Surgeon General Dr. Joe Ladapo. Ladapo also serves as Professor of Medicine at the University of Florida, where his research examines behavioral economic strategies to reduce cardiovascular risk in low-income and disadvantaged populations. 

The bill being vetoed is HB 6017, which seeks to repeal a 1990 Florida law that restricts who can sue for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, in medical malpractice cases when the victim is 25 years or older. Critics of the law refer to it as the "free kill" law.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his intentions to veto the "free kill" bill at a press conference on Thursday morning in Fort Myers. 

DeSantis argues that repealing the existing law would lead to a surge in lawsuits and a corresponding increase in medical malpractice insurance premiums. The governor said the bill could make it more difficult to recruit physicians to Florida and ultimately drive up health care costs. 

DeSantis said he proposed putting caps on the amount of damages people could seek, but state lawmakers voted it down.

Ladapo agreed with DeSantis, calling the governor a "true leader" and saying the bill would "hurt the people of Florida."

Other health leaders also agreed with DeSantis, saying "the people of Florida deserve better" and the bill is "not focused on the patient."

What happens now?

What's next:

The bill's passage would broaden the scope of who can sue for damages in medical malpractice cases, while DeSantis's veto maintains the existing limitations.

Despite DeSantis's veto, the Florida Legislature could potentially override the action with a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate. 

RFK Jr. ends COVID vaccine recommendation for healthy kids, pregnant women

Dig deeper:

At the news conference, DeSantis also spoke about the announcement U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made on Tuesday that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women, a controversial announcement made weeks before a CDC advisory panel was set to weigh in.

The shift was made public in a brief 58-second video posted on Kennedy’s official X account. The announcement appeared to override longstanding CDC guidance that urges annual COVID-19 boosters for all Americans aged 6 months and older. 

Kennedy did not appear alongside any CDC officials, and the agency referred all questions to the Department of Health and Human Services.

DeSantis said Kennedy's actions were the "correct move" and that the vaccines were "not a proven benefit."

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO:

The Source: This story was written based on information shared by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in a news release and at a press conference on May 29, 2025.

Ron DeSantisFloridaNewsInstastories