Political Quotes

“the only level one trauma center in Las Vegas shuts its doors. Twelve orthopedic surgeons at facilities near Philadelphia resign their practice. Two-thirds of doctors in a small Mississippi city consider leaving for Louisiana. What is forcing our medical community to take such drastic measures? The ``litigation lottery,'' trial lawyers filing too many lawsuits with the hope of winning excessive awards. Medical malpractice litigation, when an injured patient sues a doctor over a medical error, has exploded in the United States. Between 1995 and 2000, the average amount a jury awards a patient rose more than 70 percent to $3.5 million per claim. And more than half of awards now exceed $1 million. Trial lawyers, who are fueling this surge by hand-picking patients whom they believe will win large awards, typically take 30 to 40 percent of the proceeds. Doctors purchase insurance to protect themselves from malpractice lawsuits, but excessive awards have pushed the cost of insurance to unaffordable levels. In 2001, insurance premiums rose 30 percent or more in some States. And for doctors who perform high-risk procedures or practice where trial lawyers have won excessive awards, premiums have risen by as much as 300 percent per year. Many doctors can no longer afford to do the jobs they love. But even more disturbing to doctors, because we swear a sacred and ancient oath to do no harm, is the impact of excessive awards on patient care.”