Is Tort Reform Really the Solution to High Health Care Costs?
According to studies published in the most recent edition of the health care industry journal Health Affairs, medical liability costs (i.e., those spent in defense of, or to prevent, medical malpractice actions) is a mere 2.4 percent of America’s overall health care budget. These studies, performed by a joint group of researchers, attorneys and doctors, present conclusions that directly contradict the popular view that medical malpractice/negligence lawsuits are the leading cause of the so-called “health care crisis.” Important findings of the study include: • So-called “defensive medicine,” where tests, procedures and medications are ordered that might not otherwise be performed, with the sole intent of warding of potential medical negligence accusations that may arise in the future, has not been conclusively proven to increase medical malpractice premiums or significantly contribute to overall health care costs • Even if medical liability costs seem high when taken out of context — t
