OH HB559

Grants qualified civil immunity to medical providers offering emergency services during disasters or mass hazards, except for acts constituting reckless disregard for patient safety.

Makes certain communications inadmissible as evidence in medical claims, including apologies, sympathy, statements about unanticipated outcomes, federal healthcare standards, and insurer reimbursement policies; allows insurer-accepted payment amounts as evidence of charge reasonableness.

Establishes a 180-day discovery period after filing a medical claim complaint to identify additional potential claims or defendants, with specific procedures for amending complaints to add claims.

Eliminates the "loss of chance" doctrine by providing that loss of chance of recovery or survival alone is not compensable injury, requiring instead direct and proximate causation of harm.

Protects mental health professionals and hospital staff from liability when discharging patients with mental health conditions threatening safety, provided good faith professional judgment is exercised according to appropriate standards.