Posted on 08/22/2009 3:01:09 PM PDT by parsifal
Dems' Ace in the Hole on Health Care: Tort Reform
"It will be tough to make some of these changes if doctors feel like they're looking over their shoulders for fear of lawsuits... some doctors may feel the need to order more tests and treatments to avoid being legally vulnerable." (President Obama, American Medical Association June 2009).
"Anyone who denies there is a crisis in medical malpractice is probably a trial lawyer." (Barack Obama 1996 Illinois State Senate race).
"I'm not advocating caps on malpractice awards." (President Obama, AMA convention June 2009).
The first two statements are right on Mr. President, reconsidering the third may well save healthcare reform.
It won't be easy. We Democrats have benefited mightily from the trial lawyers support and vice versa, but its time for these boys and girls to put some skin in the healthcare reform game and accept caps on pain and suffering malpractice awards. Why? Because Democrats advocating medical tort reform will fundamentally change the healthcare reform debate and in the process may save universal healthcare legislation.
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...
Why would the Democrats be willing to give this point to the GOP? Because the amount involved is trivial. At most 1.5% of overall health care costs. They can probably "tort reform" the new system, which will save little or nothing, put the victims on welfare and the new universal health plan, and the GOP''s dupes in the country can sit around with a dumb look on their face wondering why health care costs continue to rise.
You see, the GOP has been carrying on about "tort reform" so much, so long, and so stupidly, that most of the country believes that taking care medical malpractice through "tort reform" would darn near bring down medical costs all by itself. The GOP has created its own "straw man" and now the Democrats are poised to set it on fire.
This is stupid and completely refuted by the facts, but the Democrats now may take advantage of the Republican lies and cut off the limb the GOP should never have climbed out on.
Congratulations GOP! For an illusory savings, we may end up with universal health care.
parsy, who says honesty is the best policy
What a scumbag.
You have obviously never been the target of a frivolous lawsuit. Tort reform is a good idea no matter which party succeeds with it.
In case anybody is interested in the real cost of “torts” in the medical system, here’s a great link. Easy to read. Charts and graphs, some by state. And a wonderful confession on page four about those “defensive medical” tests.
parsy, the helpful
In case anybody is interested in the real cost of “torts” in the medical system, here’s a great link. Easy to read. Charts and graphs, some by state. And a wonderful confession on page four about those “defensive medical” tests.
http://insurance-reform.org/TrueRiskF.pdf.
parsy, the helpful
I sincerely doubt the rats will do Tort Reform. Too many of them have benefited from malpractice lawsuits. This is just an intimidation tactic by the rats, who have realized that Sarah’s latest statement puts them against the wall again.
Actually, I have been sued in a frivolous lawsuit. The plaintiff, a “serial sue-er” now has to get the court’s permission to ever file a suit against anybody.
Read the link I posted.
parsy, who says medmals are not where you see a lot frivolous stuff.
The GOP has been crying for some “magic beans.” They may get it. Beckel is pretty shrewd and he may make monkeys of all you Republicans by using your own lie against you!
parsy, who is laughing
I agree with you all the way. The DemocRATS can’t afford to lose their lawyers. Tort reform isn’t going to happen. This is one of Beckel’s pipe dreams.
If that’s the case, I say bring it. However, I will never accept either death panels or the public option. If the rats are serious, they would split the bill, with their crap socialism on the one hand and tort reform on the other. But they won’t, they are cowards!
RATs are going to lose the American people first. They’re in a lose, lose scenario, IMO.
Americans have had enough!!! Please share with others.
http://hotair.com/archives/2009/08/22/video-marine-goes-nuclear-on-democrat-over-obamacare/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T7I34RkqJI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkFFwyyjZC8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n63TXAdl_Jw
Here's where statistics can be misleading. While that 1.5% may be true (I've seen estimates a couple point higher, but let's go with yours). As a percentage of a individual doctor's overhead, the number is much higher - especially for critical specialties like Surgeons, OB/Gyn, Anesthesiology and even Internist.
Now, what's the practical implications of higher malpractice insurance premiums - of course, these increases are driven by skyrocketing malpractice jury awards - on the availability and volume of licensed physicians? It reduces it, especially in the rural and inner-city areas where health care availability is already dangerously low. Then, the laws of supply and demand take over - fewer doctors, more patients = higher per visit costs. Also, simple laws of commerce indicate that industries with high capital costs of entry, or high annual expenses general tend to depress competition. We want more competition in the health care industry, not less.
Tort reform is not the magic bullet, but to have any kind of meaningful and comprehensive health care insurance reform and NOT address tort abuse, is simply spitting into the wind.
They’re just changing the words around. CoOps = Public Option. Even with tort reform there is 1000 things wrong with this bill. They are simply trying to entice some opponents to cross the isle.
You may get it. And I am going to laugh at any Republican who gets shoddy health care under Obamacare, and then can’t sue or bring any kind of meaningful legal action.
The GOP has been willfully lying to people about “tort reform” for years and if there is any justice, Republicans will reap the whirlwind.
In the future, You know what liberal may be? It may be a conservative who got permanently injured by malpractice and couldn’t sue the doctor or hospital.
parsy, who says there is still time for the GOP to get honest about tort reform
But specialists charge more. Please read that link I gave above. It discusses the costs in a very understandable way.
In toto, the current tort costs is miniscule.
parsy, who says the problems need thoughtful discussion not the kind of knee jerk reactions one so often hears.
What a mean-spirited post. For shame.
What lie?
I'm not a Republican, why would I be such a liberal pathetic me-too things a Republican?
“tort reform” is about a lot more than medical malpractice.
Sorry still no sale. I am not in favor of a government run health care system. Period.
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