New peer review law provides immunity with obligations.

In the expectation that vigorous peer review will reduce incidents of medical malpractice nationwide, a new federal law, the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 (P.L. 99-660), provides immunity from most lawsuits for those who sponsor and participate in physician peer review activities. However, this immunity does not extend automatically to all peer review activities. Those who wish to qualify for immunity must comply with the new law's obligations.