The subject of this vote is final passage of a bill that would impose limits on medical malpractice awards. Provisions in the bill would also prevent lawsuits against drug and medical device manufacturers if their products were either approved by the Food and Drug Administration or are generally considered safe. In the view of Progressives, the legislation would undermine patients' rights to the courts and discourage competent attorneys from taking legal action on behalf of victims of negligent and/or incompetent medical care. The legislation passed the House by a 217-203 vote margin. (The measure did not pass the Senate and was not signed into law.)