Why didn't malpractice reform bring down healthcare costs in Texas?

[yago]

I live in Texas, and grew up here. In the 1990's, there were a series of measures meant to limit medical malpractice awards, culminating in 2003 with something called Texas House Bill 4.

However, since the bill passed, healthcare costs have not gone down in Texas.

In fact, some parts of this state have some of the highest medical costs in the country (such as the Rio Grande Valley).

So when people say we need "malpractice reform" to solve the healthcare crisis, I always get a bit suspicious.

Why hasn't malpractice reform here in Texas brought our healthcare costs way down?

[charlot22]

Tort reform does help doctors and hospitals lower their malpractice premiums but that cost savings is not passed on to the health care consumer. If you want to slow the cost increases in health care, you want to pass the Senate bill. There are five cost containment features in the Senate bill. The biggest is the bundled payments that will move the system away from the fee for service system that is driving health care costs high.

1) Bundled payments
2) Prudent purchasing
3) The Medicare Commission
4) The excise tax on high-value health insurance
5) The individual mandate

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2009/12/five_cost_controls_in_the_sena.html

[arber47]

The single greatest factor in health care costs are the Medicare reimbursement rates and the amounts it charges; all other providers base their costs on Medicare's costs. When Medicare goes up, so does everyone else.

The bill you mention was a small band-aid on a large flesh wound--it didn't do the job.

[ern]

Increasing numbers of illegals, they aren't cheap, which is why we need to get rid of them.

Lol @ moron, you probably live in a state like California or something...Texas could tear your liberal a** up.
-How is a threat considered flirting? You must really come from a messed up place.

[aethelbert35]

The fact is it failed. When you limit a persons right to sue and collect damages you just open the door for profit for unfit dr's and insurance companies.

[marmion]

The fact is it failed. When you limit a persons right to sue and collect damages you just open the door for profit for unfit dr's and insurance companies.

It didn't go nearly deep enough.

Why in the hell does it cost thirty grand and up just to buy a decent wheelchair in Texas?

[matyas]

tort reform doesnt do anything. at least nothing anyone will even notice. its just like tax cuts to the wealthiest. same old flawed conservative ideology.

[motega]

Because you guys also treat illegals who saturate your system

[celeste]

Tort reform, like tax cuts don't work.

Never vote Republican, It's that simple.