Why are the Republicans screaming for tort reform?

[pascoe69]

Tort reform is just one way to save money.

You must be a Democrat and think giving the government control is the answer.

[pete]

And yet, it's still a better alternative than the libs are proposing.

[herald]

One study = facts huh? Just a little bit ago it was "why do they want it now and not when they controlled Congress" Hey if 1/2 of 1% is true then it is better than nothing. And definitely better than a 1.5 trillion increase (and that is with their numbers and we all know how accurate they are, 2 trillion anyone?)

[urian27]

Tom Baker, A LAW PROFESSOR... Let's stop there...

Why is this not a medical study? I don't trust anyone that has something to gain in the matter, especially a lawyer or a kooky professor that doesn't understand defensive medicine.

[stephon14]

Tort reform? WTF is tort?

[dasco]

No they want to eliminate the laws that protect average citizens and that put the wealthy on the hook for negligence.

[jomei69]

That's all they can yell about. They know the truth about insurance companies, but they want to suggest tort reform. As if that is going to help the staggering stats of increased costs in health care.

[orlondo100]

Hey Genius,
have you thought about how thinks trickle down. I am a nurse and to cover my a** from getting sued, I have to stay behind on a daily basis to make sure that I have documented every little thing I have done. I am not the only nurse who stays behind,trust me. Who do you think is paying for that? Oh and it was a LAW professor who did this study? You mean he isn't influenced by the bar association? An association made up of mostly Tort lawyers?

[raleah]

Tort reform is a STATE issue not a FEDERAL one. 95% of all malpractice cases are tried in STATE courts not federal. Texas has some good aspects in their reform but it has to be done at the STATE level as laws passed by congress would have NO impact on cases tried at the STATE level.

Here is an inteview with John Martin, who was very involved with passing the Texas state legislation...note that he says that Tort Reform is better done at the state level to be effective...as people answering this question have said that Texas WAS effective.

http://www.metrocorpcounsel.com/current.php?artType=view&artMonth=September&artYear=2009&EntryNo=10072

Here are the stats that show that almost all cases are filed in STATE courts:

http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=4641&type=0&sequence=3

So unless you can figure out how Congress can pass laws for individual states...it won't make any difference in the FEDERAL BILL

[melville]

Because it will save the health insurance companies lots of money. FACT.