Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce’s health subcommittee have scheduled a Wednesday hearing to explore options for reforming the nation’s medical liability laws.
Medical malpractice reform is one potential way to reduce health care costs. Not only does the cost of medical liability insurance make it more expensive for doctors to stay in business, but it encourages them to practice defensive medicine, which can mean physicians ordering more tests than patients need to cover themselves in the event of a lawsuit.
Yet it’s challenging to come up with a way of reforming the current system that would reduce frivolous lawsuits and ridiculous jury awards without affecting the ability of those who have legitimate claims to seek and receive just compensation.
Also, medical liability reform has proven politically difficult because of the tremendous sway the trial lawyer lobby has over Democrats.
More details, and a witness list, here.
