The reform to up California’s medical malpractice cap is working: the average medical malpractice award has surged to an average of $771,000 in 2023, according to a review of Kaiser’s arbitration awards, from an average of $276,000 from 2010 – 2019.
The patient advocacy group that powered this reform, the Kathy Olsen Patient Empowerment (KOPE) project, needs your support.
Please watch this short video about KOPE and make a tax deductible contribution today.
Named after trail blazing patient advocate Kathy Olsen, whose son lost his sight and brain function after an accident at the age of 2, KOPE can only continue its mission of empowering patients with your support.
KOPE identifies, trains and elevates the voices of injured patients from across California, with an emphasis on underserved communities of color where those voices have traditionally been silenced.
Over the past five years, KOPE has organized, mentored and trained a cohort of more than 100 patient advocates across the state of California to identify the problems they face in the health care system, share their stories and advocate to improve health care for themselves and their communities.
In 2025, KOPE is focused on stopping a return to the doctor diversion program which allows recidivist substance abusing doctors to avoid accountability from medical board monitoring — a program the state medical board recently approved putting forth as new legislation.
Please make a tax deductible donation to KOPE. It can only continue with your support.
