Charles Norwood: “we have gone too far in the area of non- economic damages. No other country in the world awards non-economic damages at…”

“we have gone too far in the area of non- economic damages. No other country in the world awards non-economic damages at or even near the levels of awards in the United States. It is almost impossible for anyone to put a dollar figure on such non- economic terms as pain and suffering; yet, our legal system continues to allow unlimited awards for pain and suffering. No other nation in the world comes close to placing economic burdens on society through non-economic damages the way we do in this country. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is particularly important to our constituents. It is a major factor in the cost of health care today. This amendment will provide one of the best weapons possible in reducing the cost of health care. Forty percent of all MD's will find themselves party to a lawsuit, 50 percent of all surgeons will be party to a lawsuit, and 75 percent of all obstetricians will be party to a lawsuit. The problems of our tort system are not insignificant in the medical profession--they threaten the health of this nation by tying the hands of doctors.”