Saturday, October 31, 2009

Swimming with the sharks - Democrats once again sell out on malpractice reform

IF anyone doubted the how much the trial lawyers own the Democratic party, please check out this little present to the ambulance chasers tucked away in the 1900+ page healthcare reform bill

In Section 2531, entitled “Medical Liability Alternatives,” establishes an incentive program for states to adopt and implement alternatives to medical liability litigation. [But]…… a state is not eligible for the incentive payments if that state puts a law on the books that limits attorneys’ fees or imposes caps on damages.

So basically it says states are free to experiment with alternative settlement systems, but keep your hands off the big contingency fees of our donor base or we'll withhold federal money. Ironically, this bill would also incentivize states to encourage more frivolous suits by removing existing caps on non-economic damages.


This is absolutely disgusting!

Rob

1 comment:

Michael C. Pickart, M.D., F.A.C.S. said...

Of all the proposed health care modifications, there is only one that...

* has broad public support,
* has been proven to be effective in controlling medical costs (at the state level in California, Texas, etc.)
* does not tamper with our hospitals, our operating rooms, etc.
* could, in fact, improve the doctor-patient relationship

That solution: TORT REFORM.

Get the lawyers out of medicine!

This is a case when the so-called progressives (Democrats) have decided to ignore the evidence and pander to their base.

Sad.