[upchuck]

The premise is they're protesting malpractice insurance rates. The reality is they're protesting ambulance-chasing injury trial lawyers.

TORT REFORM ANYONE?

And what do you suppose the chances are of that considering Congress is dominated by millionaire shyster lawyers?

Personally, I think the doctors are showing a lot of guts to do this. If more and more doctors would jump on this bandwagon, medical services would suffer, people would suffer, people would bitch and MAYBE Congress would enact some sort of meaningful tort reform.

Although, knowing Congress, they'd probably just pass legislation forcing the doctor's back to work.

[friendly]

The pecentage of lawyers in the Senate is close to 50%, but there is a new Majority Leader who is (rarity of rarities) a physician. And not just any physician mind you, a hard-*ssed Harvard trained heart-lung transplant specialist. Gave it up to run for politics and make the world a better place, etc. Dubya absolutely loves him.

So the question is, can Doc Frist herd cats? Can he push Bush's beloved tort reform through a Senate copoised of 50% crooked lawyers?

Looks impossible, but Bush is a man who does the impossible, including outwitting an army of "brilliant" lawyers sent by the DNC to Florida to steal the election. (I regard the latter as one of the proofs for the existence of the Allmighty!)

[nanny]

Although, knowing Congress, they'd probably just pass legislation forcing the doctor's back to work.

Or import foreign doctors?

[RnMomof7]

It is a delicate balance..I saw some terrible mal practice when I did hospital work..in one case a woman ended up with a colostomy because the doctor "nicked" her bowel during another surgery..he told her he saved her life. That he discoverd a tumor while he was in there..everyone reading the chart knew the truth and here is that woman telling every one how the doctor is God..Too many stories to tell..if it was YOU or YOUR family you would want the doctor held responsible There are lots of lousy doctors out there. LOTS.

So any reform has to allow for honest to goodness mal practice actions ..but mostly what is needed IMHO is arbitration first..

That woman was entitled to compensation for her suffering and his error..how much..depends..But do not be too quick to give away your right to seek redress in the courts