Trent Lott: “this is not a short list. This is a lengthy list, with probably as many as 40 counties listed. In Adams County, they…”

“this is not a short list. This is a lengthy list, with probably as many as 40 counties listed. In Adams County, they lost three physicians who had been delivering babies. Attala County, in the center of the State, lost four family practice physicians who had been doing deliveries; they got out of the practice. In Harrison County, one of our more metropolitan areas on the Gulf Coast, three doctors got out of delivering babies. The list goes on and on. Pretty soon it is going to be hard to have a baby delivered in my State. That causes me a great deal of concern. Mr. President, I hope we can get the votes tomorrow to proceed on this issue and have a full debate and a vote. This is not some massive tort reform, although I think we need it. I hope we will later visit the issue of class action reform. This is very targeted legislation that will address a serious problem in many States--the majority of States across this country, where we are losing the services of these physicians in these critical areas. I would hate to have to explain to my State how I would not even vote to proceed, let alone not vote to have some limits on medical liability for doctors who deliver babies and treat their mothers and who care for us when we have accidents and go to the emergency room. I think this is very carefully drafted legislation, very thoughtful. I certainly hope the Senate will see fit to proceed to a full debate and vote on this critical legislation.”