John Conyers: “I am pleased to bring a motion to recommit that goes to the heart of the medical malpractice crisis. Rather than…”

“I am pleased to bring a motion to recommit that goes to the heart of the medical malpractice crisis. Rather than limiting the rights of legitimate malpractice victims, as the underlying bill actually does, our motion would directly address the problem of frivolous lawsuits and insurance industry abuses. Title I of the substitute addresses the problem of frivolous lawsuits. Among other things, it would require that both an attorney and health care specialist submit an affidavit that the claim is warranted before a malpractice action can be brought, and imposes strict sanctions for attorneys who make any frivolous pleadings. Unlike the majority's bill, our amendment is limited to licensed physicians and health care professionals for malpractice cases only. It does not include lawsuits against HMOs, insurance companies, nursing homes, and drug and device manufacturers. And it sure does not insulate the manufacturer of Vioxx from liability. Title II establishes a national commission to evaluate the rising insurance premiums and to review whether the McCarran-Ferguson antitrust exemption for medical malpractice insurers should be repealed. This is a good motion. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time, the last 2\1/2\ minutes, to the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. DeGette). Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, Congress is faced with an irony today.…”