Will the Nation Follow Texas’ Lead?

The American Academy of Family Physicians has issued a call-to-action alert asking members and their patients to petition President Bush to take action on medical liability reform. Political analysts agree that asserting pressure on the 109 th Congress is essential to influence quick action.

Medical liability insurance costs currently take a huge chunk out of a physician’s budget, tens of thousands of dollars a year, and costs keep growing. Skyrocketing insurance rates are forcing competent doctors to reduce their services, move away from certain communities or close their practices altogether. Costs to patients also rise as fear of lawsuits causes doctors to practice defensive medicine to avoid possible liability.

Efforts to address the problem in Washington mirror tort reform legislation passed in Texas during the last legislative session. Reforms such as capping non-economic damages and restricting lawyers’ contingency fees are among the ideas being debated, but resistance is strong and entrenched. That’s why the AAFP is asking members to make their voices heard.