Valley at epicenter of debate on malpractice caps

Houston Chronicle ^ | Aug 26, 2003 | James Pinkerton

[BeerSwillr]

Then it sounds to me like what we need is a loser pays system, not a constituional amendment.

That, more than anything else, would put a stop to frivolous lawsuits.

[hocndoc]

I'd like to see a loser pays system, too. But, it didn't go through the Legislature this year.

I've said before,"This is a bandaid when we need surgery. But all I've got is a bandaid."

[FITZ]

Drive down 77 and look at all the bill boards.

I see the bill boards here --- but maybe a lot of Americans don't know what they're about because they're all in Spanish. Lawsuits are very high all along the border --- you get these people coming over for their free health care --- especially the moms who never received prenatal care of any kind. If any thing goes wrong they're the first to sue -- it's like winning the jackpot in their minds.

[FITZ]

The doctors here in this town have it real bad --- the OB-GYNs who take call are called in every night to deliver the babies of the border crossers delivering at 3am. These women have no prenatal care, a very high rate of anemia and infections, often they're full of TB and parasites. They'll wait until they're crowning before limping into the ER but since they're all high-risk they have to call in an OB-GYN. Many times something does go wrong but because these people have no prior relationship with the doctor --- and view him as just some very rich guy --- they're easy to talk into lawsuits. Meanwhile the poor doctor who will be sued by these non-paying patients is too tired to see his paying pacients showing up at the office at 9:00 am.

Even if the northern parts of Texas don't need Proposition 12, they really need to open their eyes to what's going on in the Valley and all along the border.

[BeerSwillr]

OH MAN you've hit a hot button with me!

I am fully aware of what is going on along the border, not only in Texas, but all the southern border states.

The illegal immigrant issue is the most important issue facing the United States today. I think it's more important than issues with Iraq, Iran, Syria, North Korea, and everywhere else we seem to be involved.

This topic could easily overwhelm this thread so please, lets not lose track of what we're talking about.

[FITZ]

But that is the heart of the Valley being the epicenter of the debate --- the title of this thread. People don't like to realize it --- things are different in north Texas versus the south. People who know their doctors and visit them regularly --- who chose them in the first place --- have a relationship --- even friendship with their doctor and are much less likely to sue. A lot of this is cultural --- people who have no insurance, no intention of paying their bill, who never see doctors until their condition is serious, probably don't understand a word their doctor said are much more likely to sue.

[BeerSwillr]

BTW, my main opposition to this stupid proposition is that some of the wording is so vague.

[Yeti]

Why shouldn't the lawyers set a fee for their work instead of cashing in on contingency fees?

Remember that hypocritical horsecrap next time you ask a patient what their gross annual income is so you can know what to charge.

[BeerSwillr]

Sorry. I didn't read the title of the thread, I just followed a link from hocndoc to discuss the amendment.

I do agree with you that there is a big problem in the valley and I am sympathetic but prop 12 will not fix it.

[hocndoc]

I don't understand your statement.

""Remember that hypocritical horsecrap next time you ask a patient what their gross annual income is so you can know what to charge.""

[lonestar]

My uncle was an anesthesiologist at a burn institute. He also taught in the med school of the state university.

Some of the burn patients were "put under" a lot and often; it was dangerous but necessary.

I remember hearing him say his malpractice insurance premiums were $100,000 per year.

He's been dead 20 years.

[CindyDawg]

We need a law that you can not file a civil case if you were breaking the law at the time of occurance. (illegals, no auto insurance, burglaries, trespassing etc.) If they think they really have a case let them knock themselves out filing criminal charges.

[isthisnickcool]

What's needed is "Loser pays".