By Leah Valencia, University of New Mexico- Talk Radio News Service
Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), along with victims of medical malpractice, urged caution over pursuing tort reform Wednesday, warning that caps on court-awarded damages won’t reduce health care costs.
Braley, who has been working on America’s Affordable Health Choices Act since last March, said tort reform is not directly addressed in the bill, but that it does encourage early settlement in malpractice suits.
“At a time when people are trying to cap and restrict injured and deceased patients ability to recover full and fair compensation, it is time we get back we get back to taking about the underlying problem,” Braley said. “The easiest way to reduce the cost of medical malpractice in this country is to reduce the large number of preventable medical errors.”
Tort reform has been identified by Republicans as a way to reduce federal budget deficits by an estimated $54 billion over the next 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office, but there has been no commitment by Democratic leaders to include tort reform in a healthcare reform bill.
Braley stated that “defensive medicine” accounts for only 1.5 percent of the cost of care, and should not be included in a broader healthcare reform.
“I expect there to be further attempts by Republicans to push the tort reform agenda,” he said. “I am more interested in moving forward in a positive direction and getting the ultimate goal, improving patients safety, accomplished whenever we can.”
House Democrat Says Tort Reform Won't Reduce Health Care Costs
Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), along with victims of medical malpractice, urged caution over pursuing tort reform Wednesday, warning that caps on court-awarded damages won’t reduce health care costs.
Braley, who has been working on America’s Affordable Health Choices Act since last March, said tort reform is not directly addressed in the bill, but that it does encourage early settlement in malpractice suits.
“At a time when people are trying to cap and restrict injured and deceased patients ability to recover full and fair compensation, it is time we get back we get back to taking about the underlying problem,” Braley said. “The easiest way to reduce the cost of medical malpractice in this country is to reduce the large number of preventable medical errors.”
Tort reform has been identified by Republicans as a way to reduce federal budget deficits by an estimated $54 billion over the next 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office, but there has been no commitment by Democratic leaders to include tort reform in a healthcare reform bill.
Braley stated that “defensive medicine” accounts for only 1.5 percent of the cost of care, and should not be included in a broader healthcare reform.
“I expect there to be further attempts by Republicans to push the tort reform agenda,” he said. “I am more interested in moving forward in a positive direction and getting the ultimate goal, improving patients safety, accomplished whenever we can.”