Why does Obama want "demonstration projects" on medical malpractice reform?

[hussein]

In Texas, 2005 limits on damages in malpractice cases has led to a 27 percent decrease in malpractice premiums. An additional half-dozen states have cut frivolous suits through similar means. Obama's decision to do yet more state testing, rather than propose legislative changes, leaves critics worrying that he has no intention of implementing nationwide reform.

So if Texas saw a 27% reduction in cost for insurance premiums. Don't you think this would be an effective tool for this? Or are democrats so tied into the trial lawyer association that they cannot enact this in any bill or even in a stand alone bill.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/Health-care-reform-faces-inconvenient-questions-8227772.html

[osmont]

These things take time and what were the details of the Texas law. When, specific date not just year, was it enacted? Passed doesn't mean enacted. I would give it a full 3 years that is 36 months from being enacted to let the savings percolate thru the system then measure the savings. California also enacted tort reform and also saw significant savings. Also needed are caps on malpractice awards and also caps on products liability. Just torts, then it is just part of the solution, you need the caps also.

The test cases in Mass, Tenn, and Maine? regarding state run health programs are already well documented failures so why does a failure need to go national?

[shen86]

Because other states have adopted the same reforms, but premiums have gone up; therefore, Obama wants to know why the reforms only have their intended effect in some states and not others.

[vohkinne]

How then do your explain the McCallen, Texas phenomena.
In 2006, Medicare spent fifteen thousand dollars per enrollee here, almost twice the national average. The income per capita is twelve thousand dollars. In other words, Medicare spends three thousand dollars more per person here than the average person earns.