WASHINGTON – Congressman Maurice Hinchey has asked the chairmen of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Judiciary Committee to hold hearings on a bill he has introduced to provide servicemen and woman with the right to hold the military accountable for medical malpractice.

The bill is named for the late Sgt. Carmelo Rodriguez of Ellenville, who died of skin cancer after a series of what the family claims were mistakes by military medical personnel.

Hinchey said current military practices of review are inadequate and are not dealing with medical issues.

“It is so ineffective, as in the case of Carmelo Rodriguez that they are allowing people to lose their lives,” he said.

Hinchey’s bill would reverse a U.S. Supreme Court ruling dating back to 1950 which said military members and their families have no right or ability to sue the military for negligent medical care given to them during their service.