LANSING, MI — Senators passed changes to the state’s medical malpractice laws after removing controversial parts of the bill package.

The “Patients First Reform Package” now heads to the House for consideration during the last remaining weeks of the current legislative session.

The Senate did not vote on SB 1116, which states that a health care professional or facility would not be liable in a malpractice case if the doctor acted with reasonable and good-faith belief that the conduct was well-founded in medicine and in the patient’s best interests.

Personal injury lawyers and their clients vocally opposed the bill, saying that it would give bad doctors immunity from their misdoings.

Sen. Roger Kahn, a cardiologist and Republican from Saginaw Township, said he introduced the bill to address inequities in liability statutes and curb a looming physician shortage.

“1116 is one that really set out some new ideas, and as such is more controversial, and as such, more time consuming,” Kahn said on Thursday. “We don’t have the time.”

Kahn said he’ll likely try to bring the bill back next year.

Senators approved the three other bills in the package:

SB 1115, which limits medical malpractice damage awards, passed 36-2 after removing a measure that would have counted household services as a noneconomic loss.

SB 1117 passed 26-12 to expand the kinds of health care professionals that can be sued for malpractice.

SB 1118 passed 27-11. It limits the time period for suing on behalf of a deceased person and bans prejudgment interest on attorney fees and costs awarded in medical malpractice suits.

Thursday’s votes came after negotiations with a trial lawyers’ group and the Michigan State Medical Society.

“By supporting reforms that protect Michigan seniors, children and families and empowering physicians to keep their eyes fixed on what is best for their patients, lawmakers stood up today for quality health care,” MSMS President Dr. John Bizon said in a statement.

Kahn said he believes support for the bills is strong in the House, where there may be additional changes made to the legislation.

Trial lawyer group Michigan Association for Justice is still working with the medical society and legislators on potential changes to the bills, according to MAJ spokesman Ryan Irvin.