I think the reason tort reform is left out is because it takes away the rights of the patient. Yes, there is fraud, but in true cases of malpractice, the patient or family has to deal with the effects of the malpractice plus the lawsuit already. Removing that protection can end up with a case needing to meet qualifications A through X before it can go to trial, leaving many valid cases unheard and allowing healthcare facilities to lower standards because they only need to “meet the minimum” to avoid lawsuits. Doctors are not the issue here, but the administrators, whose job it is to see a hospital turn a profit. Adding something to a general healthcare reform bill is not the place for this – it is a legal issue that should be reformed in a seperate bill.Currently, the states have control of this. Ask your state senators and representatives to change their laws. If the trend is towards reform, then the federal government may follow.
I think the reason tort reform is left out is because it takes away the rights of the patient. Yes, there is fraud, but in true cases of malpractice, the patient or family has to deal with the effects of the malpractice plus the lawsuit already. Removing that protection can end up with a case needing to meet qualifications A through X before it can go to trial, leaving many valid cases unheard and allowing healthcare facilities to lower standards because they only need to “meet the minimum” to avoid lawsuits. Doctors are not the issue here, but the administrators, whose job it is to see a hospital turn a profit. Adding something to a general healthcare reform bill is not the place for this – it is a legal issue that should be reformed in a seperate bill.Currently, the states have control of this. Ask your state senators and representatives to change their laws. If the trend is towards reform, then the federal government may follow.