As the coronavirus pandemic continues into 2021, Gov. Doug Ducey is extending his “good Samaritan” order, which provides civil liability protections to front line workers. The order states that without continued protections, health care workers would be reluctant to serve during this time.
Ducey first enacted the order in April, saying it would provide clarity to health care workers and facilities on protections related specifically to the state’s COVID-19 response. He’s now pushing those protections through to the end of March.
In a statement on Thursday morning, Ducey said the extension “will help maintain staffing levels in our hospitals and ensure our medical professionals are protected when acting in good faith in emergency situations.”
But critics of the order say it makes it more difficult for families to sue healthcare facilities for poor COVID-19 related treatment. And that, they say, is problematic.