Lawyers and health care company officials debated new Pennsylvania medical malpractice venue rules before a panel of state legislators Tuesday, with opponents arguing the proposals would lead to “skyrocketing” costs and others saying they would increase access to justice for injured persons.

The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, which is made up of six state senators and six state representatives, heard three hours of testimony from three health care professionals and five prominent attorneys from across the state. Testimony focused on the potential impact of repealing 17-year-old venue rules that mandate plaintiffs may only bring medical malpractice lawsuits in the venue where the injury occurred.