Steve Buyer: “I rise in support of H.R. 4600 because it strikes an appropriate balance between the needs of patients who have been…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 4600 because it strikes an appropriate balance between the needs of patients who have been harmed to seek redress and the needs of all patients to have access to health care. I note my colleague from the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey), was concerned about whether premiums would go down or not. I would welcome him to read the Congressional Budget Office's report that was ordered by the Committee on the Judiciary. CBO estimates that under this bill premiums for medical malpractice ultimately would go down on an average of 25 to 30 percent. So I would welcome the gentleman to read that. I also particularly support section 11 that provides flexibility to the States. I think that is smart to do that. Indiana has a very good law that has been in place for over 3 decades. It is comprehensive medical malpractice reform. The system works well. It has a medical review panel. It also limits recovery from lawyers. The total recovery is capped. Attorney's fees are capped. We have a compensation fund managed by the State, and injured patients receive compensation in a timely fashion. I would like to thank the chairman for permitting this flexibility in the bill.”