Robert Ehrlich: “I am pleased that the House today is debating public policy options to help contain the growth of medical care costs in…”

“I am pleased that the House today is debating public policy options to help contain the growth of medical care costs in our nation. Patients across the country continue to see increases in their insurance premiums and health costs, and it is critical for Congress to find solutions to make health care more affordable for physicians to practice and patients to access. Proponents of H.R. 4600, The Help Efficient, Accessible, Low Cost, Timely Health Care (HEALTH) Act, argue that this bill, which would create national tort reform, would contain or lower medical malpractice insurance costs for physicians and by extension lower health costs for consumers. I understand the many arguments in favor of this legislation, including the need to limit excessive medical insurance costs which physicians face in many states and often pass on to their patients. Also, like my fellow House members, I too feel a need to help my constituents back home. I agree that our society has become excessively litigious and that reasonable tort reform can be enacted to reduce medical malpractice insurance premiums, keep doctors in areas of medical need, and help patients.”