House OKs a cap on medical lawsuits

COX news service ^ | Friday, March 14, 2003 | JASON EMBRY

[Pro-Bush]

WASHINGTON -- The House voted yesterday to cap pain-and-suffering awards in medical malpractice lawsuits at $250,000.

The bill was primarily backed by Republicans, who contended that fear of expensive lawsuits is driving up insurance costs and causing doctors to limit or close their practices.

[Pro-Bush]

Win For Bush. Good job!

[smokeyjon]

Your computer can rest easy!

[CrimeOf73]

Some Democrats wanted to include a provision that would require insurance companies to lower premiums if the legislation becomes law.

Do modern-day Democrats think the US is a centrally planned economy? Do they think they should set the prices of private businesses?

[demkicker]

Does Hillary Clinton own a black pants suit?

[pragmatic_asian]

Do modern-day Democrats think the US is a centrally planned economy? Do they think they should set the prices of private businesses? What do you think a law that prevents lawsuits from making victims whole does to a free market? In TX, insurance companies lobbied and recieved caps on lawsuit damages but consumers didn't see commensurate savings in their premiums. Oddly enough, the day that the bill passed in the House, I saw a story that showed exactly why. A woman who lost both her breasts because of her doctors malpractice wouldn't have received much compensation since breasts are non-economic assets (unless you're a stripper I suppose). If the government were really serious about fighting rising malpractice premiums, do something about the 5% of doctors who account for 90%+ of malpractice award payments. There are already many numerous and stringent safegaurds against frivilous lawsuits and excessive awards.

[friendly]

Good one against the utterly corrupt, evil, unregulated lawyer monopoly: a far greater threat to our freedom than al Queda terrorists.

[libertylover]

What do you think a law that prevents lawsuits from making victims whole

The new law would only cap the pain and suffering part. The cost to cover actual medical expenses remains UNLIMITED.

I don't like this being at the federal level. H***, just about everything is at the federal level these days.

[defeat_the_dem_igods]

from opensecrets.org Senator John Edwards (D-NC)
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defeat_the_dem_igods

[friendly]

Edwards is so cute. He would be the greatest President in history. A trial lawyer as Chief Executive... imagine the magnificent possibilities!

Honesty, ethics, reform, and prosperity would be the order of the day. The kind of man whose hard work and productivity made America great.