GOP Study: Med Mal Reform Would Save Cash, Improve Care

May 8, 2003

The shortcomings of the medical liability system have driven up health insurance premiums and reduced access to medical care, according to a new Republican-controlled congressional study.

The new study released by the Joint Economic Committee, Liability for Medical Malpractice: Issues and Evidence, examines the current status of the malpractice system, documents the numerous flaws in the system, and discusses the need for and benefits of reform.

Key findings of the study, according to Saxton, are that the current tort system fails to provide just compensation to most victims of malpractice or consistently punish bad doctors.

Saxton said JEC-proposed reforms, which follow the lines of President Bush’s proposed limits on non-economic and punitive damages in medical liability cases would save the federal government as much as $67 billion over 10 years, reduce health care spending and increase availability as well.

For a copy of the JEC study and more information on medical malpractice reform and on other economic issues, please visit http://jec.senate.gov/.

Topics Politics Medical Professional Liability

Was this article valuable?

Here are more articles you may enjoy.