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Deval Patrick to Suggest Medical Malpractice Reform in Massachusetts

| Mar 3, 2011 | Medical Malpractice

Despite ample evidence (here, here and here) that medical malpractice lawsuits are not the cause for soaring health care costs and poor patient care, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is proposing a bill intended to reduce medical malpractice lawsuits. The Governor, taking a page from steps taken in other States, is proposing a bill to amend medical malpractice law in Massachusetts. Under the proposal:

…doctors in Massachusetts would be able to apologize to patients — without the risk that their apology could be used against them later, in court. The state would also implement a six-month “cooling off period,” so that hospitals and patients could try to resolve problems without lawsuits.

President Obama, as part of his healthcare reform and recently discussed at the State of the Union Address, is also suggesting potential reforms. One such suggestion is the creation of a Health Court which will remove the jury from the process (despite the Constitution guaranteeing the right to a trial by jury) in favor of a single Judge. The intent is to streamline medical malpractice awards because juries often have a wide range in the amount of money that they award.

It has been said on numerous occasions… malpractice reform will only result in lesser quality care for patients, reduced ability to exercise Constitutional rights in open Court and WILL NOT reduce health insurance costs. A number of independents studies continue to show that eliminating medical malpractice lawsuits all together would save approximately 1% of the total cost of healthcare. One Percent!!

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