Why Medical Malpractice Is Off Limits

[Eric Johnson]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...190155972.html

http://tinyurl.com/yaqezgb

By PHILIP K. HOWARD

Eliminating defensive medicine could save upwards of $200 billion in health-care costs annually, according to estimates by the American Medical Association and others. The cure is a reliable medical malpractice system that patients, doctors and the general public can trust.

But this is the one reform Washington will not seriously consider. That's because the trial lawyers, among the largest contributors to the Democratic Party, thrive on the unreliable justice system we have now.

-more-

Note: Phillip K. Howard wrote a book years ago titled _The Death of Common Sense_. It's apolitical and a good read.

[Henry V]

So, when their was a republican president and a republican congress for six years, why did they not make this change?

Even if this savings is at the upper end of the estimate ($200 billion) it is still only 8% of total health care costs per year.

[dnf777]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...190155972.html

http://tinyurl.com/yaqezgb

By PHILIP K. HOWARD

Eliminating defensive medicine could save upwards of $200 billion in health-care costs annually, according to estimates by the American Medical Association and others. The cure is a reliable medical malpractice system that patients, doctors and the general public can trust.

But this is the one reform Washington will not seriously consider. That's because the trial lawyers, among the largest contributors to the Democratic Party, thrive on the unreliable justice system we have now.

-more-

Note: Phillip K. Howard wrote a book years ago titled _The Death of Common Sense_. It's apolitical and a good read.

If you think it's only dems that are in bed with lawyers, you're dreaming. Not only did we have a republican controlled senate, house, and whitehouse, but the majority leader was a SURGEON! What did we get in the way of meaningful tort reform under them??? NADA, ZIP!

As a physician, I have a personal stake in this argument...as does every other american who has trouble finding a doc in their town, or a quality doc. The best and brightest aren't wasting their talents and years of schooling, sleepless nights and mornings, evenings, and weekends away from their families anymore. Used to be docs wanted to come to America to practice and make money. I can see a time in the not too distant future where American docs, if forced to practice in a socialist system, might as well go to a country where they'll make the same low pay, but have school, retirement, healthcare, and education for their kids paid for by the gov't!!

[badbullgator]

So, when their was a republican president and a republican congress for six years, why did they not make this change?

Even if this savings is at the upper end of the estimate ($200 billion) it is still only 8% of total health care costs per year.

Tort reform has been a topic for many years even before GWB. It is something that is not going to pass in Washington regardless of who is in the WH. Might have something to do with all the trail lawyers that you find up there both in office as well as lobbying those in office. When the lawyers have as much influence as they do it is not likely that they will go against the bread and butter of many of their own
I do find it interesting that as usual the first response has to do with the former administration rather than getting to the heart of the matter.

[ducknwork]

Even if this savings is at the upper end of the estimate ($200 billion) it is still only 8% of total health care costs per year.

Only??! 8% is nothing to sneeze at. Remind me: 200 billion is what percentage of the amount of money the messiah wants to spend on health care? A little more than 8%, right?


I would like an 8% pay raise...

Not too shabby regards,
________
WEED VAPORIZER

[Eric Johnson]

If you think it's only dems that are in bed with lawyers,...

I find these things and I bring them here as possibly worthy candidates for discussion. I really have no vested stake in how the discussion turns. I may have an opinion but generally I won't express it. This is a long-standing tradition and is based on my running a forum for many years on Compuserve that was similar to this place.

As it happens, I like Phillip Howard's writing style as he makes his point in very few words.

Further, I am well aware of the impact of the legal lobby in both parties. He speaks of the Democratic Congresspersons only because they are in power now and the debate is now. In his other works, he's critical of all sides.

Eric

[BonMallari]

If you think it's only dems that are in bed with lawyers, you're dreaming. Not only did we have a republican controlled senate, house, and whitehouse, but the majority leader was a SURGEON! What did we get in the way of meaningful tort reform under them??? NADA, ZIP!

As a physician, I have a personal stake in this argument...as does every other american who has trouble finding a doc in their town, or a quality doc. The best and brightest aren't wasting their talents and years of schooling, sleepless nights and mornings, evenings, and weekends away from their families anymore. Used to be docs wanted to come to America to practice and make money. I can see a time in the not too distant future where American docs, if forced to practice in a socialist system, might as well go to a country where they'll make the same low pay, but have school, retirement, healthcare, and education for their kids paid for by the gov't!!

you are correct, but its not just the lawyers, its the lobbyists that represent them and other special interest groups...lobbyist is a nice way of saying $$$$ and payoffs and personal gifts and future considerations. Its not a Republican or Democrat issue, its really the issue at the heart of corruption. its the Soros on the left and the Annenberg foundation on the right.All of our politicians are beholding to someone , unfortunately its not you and I

[Terry Britton]

If you think it's only dems that are in bed with lawyers, you're dreaming. Not only did we have a republican controlled senate, house, and whitehouse, but the majority leader was a SURGEON! What did we get in the way of meaningful tort reform under them??? NADA, ZIP!

As a physician, I have a personal stake in this argument...as does every other american who has trouble finding a doc in their town, or a quality doc. The best and brightest aren't wasting their talents and years of schooling, sleepless nights and mornings, evenings, and weekends away from their families anymore. Used to be docs wanted to come to America to practice and make money. I can see a time in the not too distant future where American docs, if forced to practice in a socialist system, might as well go to a country where they'll make the same low pay, but have school, retirement, healthcare, and education for their kids paid for by the gov't!!

The overworked and underpaid nurses won't be far behind along with the safety of our medical care in hospitals.

[dnf777]

The overworked and underpaid nurses won't be far behind along with the safety of our medical care in hospitals.

Amen.

We'll just be left with a bunch of wealthy, retired lawyers to take care of us.

[Gerry Clinchy]

if forced to practice in a socialist system, might as well go to a country where they'll make the same low pay, but have school, retirement, healthcare, and education for their kids paid for by the gov't!!

If everyone gets lower pay, as the docs would, who will pay the taxes that provide all that school, retirement, healthcare, etc?

We have minimum wage now. Would we also have maximum wage? If govt can tell execs what kind of compensation they are allowed to have because of govt bailout funds, couldn't govt take the next step & do the same for others ... since they are also beneficiaries of govt benefits like healthcare?

What if the govt decides that in order to make its auto industry "plans" work, the workers need to have less compensation? After all, if the govt is running the show (not the greedy capitalists), then the union isn't really needed, is it? After all, shouldn't some of the "wealth" of UAW workers be "redistributed" to workers who don't get as much for their work? (Don't mean to pick on the UAW, but it just happens to be the union involved with the auto industry.) Maybe not. Govt just decided to continue subsidizing Amtrak.