MYTH: TORT (malpractice) Reform Will Reduce Costs

Malpractice or TORT reform is the ONLY concrete health care reform proposal from Republicans in both the Senate and House. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has published several reports where they conclude that there is NO EVIDENCE that malpractice reform will curb down medical costs due to protective measures by Doctors; in fact, they only say that there would be an extremely modest direct cost reduction (0.4 to 0.5% MAYBE).

In this video from C-SPAN 3, the CBO Director Douglas Elmendorf told Senator John McCain the truth BUSTING this MYTH.

Furthermore., the American Medical Association (AMA) published Malpractice insurance costs up until 2003, when the average malpractice insurance was just 3.4% of Doctor revenues across disciplines. This 3.4% number is in line with Liability insurance paid by Small Businesses.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• health care myth
• tort reform
• malpractice insurance

[kenfo0]

It is NOT a myth. The question is bogus, because it does not take into account all factors. For example, it is most CERTAINLY true that TORT reform CAN reduce costs.All that is necessary is Congress legislating that the amount in reduction be equally reflected in pricing and HMO/Insurance costs. Viola, cost savings. The flaw was that if you reduce TORT money, the Drs, HMO and Insurers can simply pocket the savings. TORT is out of control. Jackpot because you spill your coffee on yourself?