Bush-Cheney '04 Launches New Television Advertisement, "Med Mal"

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VOICE OVER: "For women's health ... it's now an emergency. Our hospitals ... closing maternity wards. OB-GYNs ... forced out. 3 month waits for mammograms..."

BACKGROUND

According To The American College Of Obstetricians And Gynecologists (ACOG), "The Medical Liability Crisis Continues To Worsen And Now Impacts 23 States." "Disruptions to obstetrical care are now prevalent in almost half of the states across the country, according to the latest assessment by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Today, the nation's leading group of women's health care providers warns that the medical liability insurance crisis continues to worsen and now impacts 23 states, up from 16 states cited just two years ago." (American College Of Obstetricians And Gynecologists, "ACOG's Red Alert On Ob-Gyn Care Reaches 23 States," Press Release, 8/26/04, Available At http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr08-26-04.cfm, Accessed 10/4/04)

Across The Country Maternity Wards Are Closing Because Of Rising Malpractice Lawsuit Insurance:

In Philadelphia, PA, Mercy Hospital Closed Its Maternity Ward Effective Aug. 23, 2002 Because Of "Rapidly Rising Malpractice Premiums. "CEO Bernadette Mangan cited rapidly rising malpractice premiums as one of the reasons, noting that the move will save the hospital $2.5 million." (Politically Active Physicians Association, "Closing Hospitals," http://www.fightingdocs.com/main/closing_hospitals.html, Accessed 10/2/04)
Methodist Hospital [Philadelphia] - Closed Its Labor And Delivery Department. "Methodist Hospital - Closed its labor and delivery department, which has been open since 1892 on June 1, 2002 in light of projected malpractice premium increase from $3 million to $6 million in 2002, according to CEO James Robinson. Methodist Hospital delivered almost 1,100 babies last year. Methodist Hospital - Eliminated 91 full and part-time positions as a result of closing its maternity ward." (Politically Active Physicians Association, "Closing Hospitals," http://www.fightingdocs.com/main/closing_hospitals.html, Accessed 10/2/04)
In 2003, The Lehigh Regional Medical Center Obstetrical Unit In FL Was Forced To Close Down Because Of Rising Malpractice Insurance. "Expectant mothers who had planned to use Lehigh Regional Medical Center for giving birth will have to make alternate arrangements because the hospital has suspended childbirth services. The change will go into effect at 5 p.m. today. Any patients already admitted will remain in the hospital until discharged by their physicians. Rising malpractice insurance is the primary reason for the program's suspension, said John McClellan, hospital CEO. 'That's the most important issue,' McClellan said. 'We have a runaway malpractice crisis in the state of Florida.'" (Ella Nayor, "Lehigh Hospital Ends Baby Deliveries," The [Fort Myers, FL] News-Press, 3/25/03)
Aventura Hospital & Medical Center Eliminated Its Obstetrical Unit Because Of The Medical Liability Crisis In Florida. ("How The Medical Liability Crisis Is Impacting Access To Care In Florida Hospitals," FHA, 12/02, Available At http://www.fha.org/acrobat/impactresults.pdf, Accessed 10/4/04)

Reports Indicate A Growing Number Of Ob-Gyns Are Being Forced Out Of Business Because Of Expensive Malpractice Lawsuits. "As growing numbers of ob-gyns quit the baby-delivery business because of expensive malpractice lawsuits and rising insurance rates, more than mothers-to-be are starting to take notice. In his Sept. 2 acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, even President George W. Bush mentioned that physicians, especially ob-gyns, are being forced out of business because of the high cost of lawsuits. Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich said in a statement last week that patients are paying the cost of doctors leaving Illinois, through increased medical rates and decreased access to medical services in some regions. The problem, however, hits home hardest for patients." (Kathleen Louden, Op-Ed, "Oh, Baby! Moms-To-Be Feel Pain Of Ob-Gyns' Rising Insurance Rates," Chicago Tribune, 9/22/04)

"Allegheny General Hospital [PA] - Reports A Three Month Wait For Screening Mammograms Due To A Shortage Of Radiologists To Read Results." (Politically Active Physicians Association Website, http://www.fightingdocs.com/main/closing_hospitals.html, Accessed 10/2/04)

In Florida, It Takes Three Months For Women To Receive Mammograms. "The Institute of Medicine says even though more women are aware of the need for a mammogram, it may be harder for them to get one. A shortage of radiologists, a declining number of mammogram facilities and the lack of health insurance are the main causes. In Florida, for instance, those seeking a mammogram may have to wait three months." (Editorial, "Mammograms Must Be Available For All Women," Chicago Sun-Times, 6/14/04)

AD FACT

VOICE OVER: "The reason: frivolous lawsuits from out-of-control personal injury trial lawyers. And John Kerry and the liberals in Congress ... stand with those trial lawyers. They've voted to block medical lawsuit reform 10 times. And that's why our good doctors are leaving."

PRESIDENT BUSH: "I'm George W Bush and I approve this message."

BACKGROUND

Kerry Voted To Block Medical Liability Reform At Least Ten Times. Kerry was joined by other Senate Democrats on each of these votes. (H.R. 956, CQ Vote #137: Motion Rejected 39-61: R 10-44; D 29-17; I 0-0, 5/2/95, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 956, CQ Vote #140: Motion Agreed To 65-35: R 24-30; D 41-5, 5/2/95, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 956, CQ Vote #141: Motion Agreed To 56-44: R 13-41; D 43-3, 5/2/95, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 956, CQ Vote #144: Passed 53-47: R 48-6; D 5-41, 5/2/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 956, CQ Vote #151: Motion Rejected 46-53: R 44-10; D 2-43; I 0-0, 5/4/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 956, CQ Vote #152: Motion Rejected 47-52: R 45-9; D 2-43; I 0-0, 5/4/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 956, CQ Vote #160: Motion Agreed To 54-44:: R 46-7; D 8-37, 5/10/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 956, CQ Vote #161: Passed 61-37: R 46-7; D 15-30, 5/10/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1052, CQ Vote #212: Motion Agreed To 52-46: R 2-45; D 49-1; I 1-0, 6/29/01, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 812, CQ Vote #197: Motion Agreed To 57-42: R 6-42; D 50-0; I 1-0, 7/30/02, Kerry Voted Yea)

In 2002, Liberal Democrats Such As John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, Ted Kennedy And Tom Daschle Voted To Block Medical Liability Reform. (S. 812, CQ Vote #197: Motion Agreed To 57-42: R 6-42; D 50-0; I 1-0, 7/30/02)

The GAO Has Determined That Lawsuits Are The #1 Cause Of Rising Liability Premiums. "Increased losses on claims are the primary contributor to higher medical malpractice premiums rates." (“Medical Malpractice Insurance: Multiple Factors Have Contributed To Premium Rate Increases," General Accounting Office, 10/10/03, www.gao.gov, Accessed 10/4/04)

The Department Of Health & Human Services Has Found That The Cause Of The Crisis Is Our Broken Litigation System. "The crisis that we face--as consumers, taxpayers, or health care professionals--is caused by our expensive litigation system, which often finds liability on a random basis and increasingly imposes very large judgments for non-economic damages." ("Addressing The New Health Care Crisis: Reforming The Medical Litigation System To Improve The Quality Of Health Care," Department Of Health And Human Services, 03/03/03, www.hhs.gov, Accessed 10/4/04)

I saw this one half an hour ago on FoxNews. Nice tagline: "...and that's why our good doctors are leaving."

I have several friends in PA who are OB/GYNs. They have been bemoaning this issue for at least 10 years. Paying nearly half of one's income for malpractice insurance is killing them.

Trial lawyers are suing radiologists? What, if they don't kill the cancer?

And John Kerry and the liberals in Congress … stand with those trial lawyers.

There's a critical sentence missing here, "John Kerry has even selected a trial lawyer as his running mate."

If they try to run hard with this, though, the response from the Kerry camp will be to tell some horror story of medical incompetence, then say, "George Bush wants to take away your right to have your case heard in court." People respond to tort reform in the abstract, but when they are told that it will mean they can't sue or win big damages if their case justifies it, their support softens.

My wife's OBGYN has a sign over each of their doors that say

My wife delivered a healthy baby boy a week an a half ago. I've had conversations with several of the OB doctors here in eastern NC concerning the issue. It's much worse than a 30 second ad can convey. But the sign posted above the nurse's station of the OB ward said it all...
"John Edwards Sued My Doctor".

Unfortunately, talk of national health care among foreign docs has lured a lot of docs into the dem camp where they are going broke.

bttt

Why? So they can work for the government? At least you couldn't sue them. Or could you?