Reducing The Cost Of Health Care by Eric R. Anderson (NAPSA)—Wouldn’t you want your doctor to use every possible technique—both new and old—to help you get better? It’s a question Americans would be wise to ask, as Congress debates a new health care reform package. In many areas of the country, doctors must be concerned about high-risk procedures because of the potential for liability. Reforming the current medical liability system (the judicial process that applies when a doctor is sued) is critical to containing health care costs for everyone—and empowering physicians to practice the best possible medicine. The current medical liability system, known as “jackpot justice” by some, has led to astronomical jury awards and an abundance of meritless lawsuits. Did you know that only 20 percent of jury verdicts are in favor of the patient? These risks have forced physi- cians and hospitals to alter their approachto care. Many doctors now practice “defensive medicine”—medically unnecessary tests, prescriptions, specialist referrals, invasive procedures and hospital admissions are ordered just to steer clear of possible liability. That has led to higher health care costs across the country. Also, many doctors are compelled to avoid higher-risk proce- In short, the present medical liability system hurts America’s patients. “Medical liability reform can cut costs for patients and improveaccess to innovative care.” @ Finding Cures Congress needs to follow the example set in states like California, Texas and Colorado, where reasonable limits on pain and suffering damage awards andeffec- tive legal processes have been put in place. These measures have proved highly effective in containing costs for physicians and in ensuring access to affordable care. In fact, the U.S. Departmentof Health and Human Services estimated that medical liability reform would save Americans between $70 and $126 billion a year in health care costs. In addition, the Joint Economic Committee of Congress reported that medical liability reform could help an estimated 3.9 million people in the U.S. obtain health insurance. But savings aside, considersituations such as this: Uncertain about potential liability, many neu- rosurgeons are less likely to try innovative new treatments to help their patients, according to a poll from the American Association of dures—or even “higher-risk” patients altogether. Hundreds of emergency rooms have been forced Neurological Surgeons and the porarily, over the past decade, it’s literally bad for their health. of Emergency Physicians. The piaa.usor call (301) 947-9000. to close their doors, at least tem- according to the American College country’s best students, who once flocked to medicine, are now dis- couraged from entering thefield. Countless doctors have been forced to abandon underserved and rural areas in states that have nolimits (“caps”) on their potential liability. Congress of Neurological Surgeons. Our current medical liability system isn’t protecting patients; To find out more, visit www. Eric R. Anderson is Director of Public Relations and Marketing at the Physician Insurers Association of America (PIAA), a leading insurer trade association headquartered in Rockville, Md.
