The NBA's new labor deal will create an independent medical panel to settle life-and-death cases.

When a player is declared medically "unfit" to play, his case can be referred to the panel by his team, by the league or by the players association.

If the panel determines the player has a life-threatening condition, they can bar him from resuming his playing career. Conversely, if the panel determines the player can play then the team must allow him to, trade him or waive him within a set period of time.

The panel's decisions will be final and binding on all parties.

Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat are currently in a stalemate that would benefit from the existence of such a panel. Because his condition predates the new labor deal, Bosh will be exempt from the new protocols. But Bosh can initiate the process and could even do before it takes effect on July 1st.