Government
Liability reform sponsors tee up
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 7, 2005
Sens. John Ensign (R, Nev.) and Judd Gregg (R, N.H.) have introduced legislation that would cap noneconomic damages against doctors at $250,000. Two other bills sponsored by the pair would apply the caps only to obstetrician-gynecologists and emergency department or trauma physicians.
While Senate Republican leaders have not yet determined their strategy on the medical liability issue, they might bring one or more of the bills directly to the floor, according to aides. Opponents aim to block passage by holding off attempts to end debate.
Meanwhile, AMA Immediate Past President Donald J. Palmisano, MD, appeared before the House Small Business Committee Feb. 17 to recount several instances in which patients died, in part, because liability insurance costs had driven needed specialists out of their area.
"These are just a few of the hundreds of stories I have heard as I talk to physicians and patients across the country," Dr. Palmisano said. "They represent the symptoms that tell us our nation is facing a crisis because of a broken medical liability system."
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/03/07/gvbf0307.htm.
