Dems Set to Filibuster Malpractice Bill

[Rose Siding]

Dems Set to Filibuster Malpractice Bill

WASHINGTON -- White House-backed legislation to put caps on damage awards in medical malpractice cases hangs in the balance in the Senate, targeted for defeat by a Democratic filibuster.

"It's absurd to suggest that $250,000 is adequate for someone who is paralyzed for life," Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said Tuesday on the eve of a showdown on the measure.

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-congress-malpractice,0,6395425.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

I love it when they take a stand and fight :loveya:

[bowens43]

1. The filibuster is our friend

[Robb]

2. Clearly Ted didn't get the memo

that accountability is un-American. :eyes:

[leftyandproud]

3. honestly

I like to see dems with backbone more than anyone, but folks...think about this?

how many people will be helped by awards over $250,000? FEW
how many are HURT by the punitive damage settlements? EVERYONE ELSE
doctors are leaving my state like mad...insurance premiums are going through the roof...not because of corporate greed, but because the average doctor must pay nearly $80,000 for malpractice insurance!!!!

[Rose Siding]

4. It is ins company profits that are responsible

Not litigation.

The pubs wouldn't even accept an ammendment for larger compensation in cases of extreme morbidity, like having both breasts removed erroneously.

No, caps remove protections that benefit the public good. It is the ins corps greed that is spiking the rates. Cut the profits and they can cut the ins rates.

They should also have a progressive rate structure. Charge docs with bad records more than others. There are other solutions besides removing the only recourse of the injured individual.