A Question about Medical Malpractice Lawsuits [View All]

[JANdad]

Why would both Hillary and Barrack be in favor of changing medical malpractice lawsuits? According to both of their prospective health plans (links below), they both believe that this would help lower the cost of health care...I'm sorry, but I thought this was a RW/Rush Limbaugh talking point...o am I mistaken?

Obama: Reforming medical malpractice. Obama will strengthen antitrust laws to prevent insurers from overcharging physicians for their malpractice insurance, and will promote new models for addressing physician errors that improve patient safety, strengthen the doctor-patient relationship, and reduce the need for malpractice suits.

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/

Clinton: In order to ensure greater stability and predictability for physicians to continue to practice, we need common-sense medical malpractice reforms. While some have overstated the role that malpractice insurance plays in the health care crisis, it is clear that we have to find a way that works for everyone, doctors and patients alike.

Senator Clinton will:

Promote medical error disclosure and provider-patient trust:Senator Clinton has introduced the National Medical Error Disclosure and Compensation (MEDiC) Act. It would encourage the adoption of a model that provides liability protections for physicians who disclose medical errors to patients and who offer to enter into negotiations for fair compensation. Overall, these policies have resulted in greater patient trust and satisfaction, more patients being compensated for injuries, fewer numbers of malpractice suits being filed, and significantly reduced administrative and legal defense costs. At the University of Michigan, this program has saved $1-3 million in litigation costs.

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/feature/healthcare/