Jeb Hensarling: “today I rise to commend the House on the passage of H.R. 5 and to encourage the other body to immediately take up…”

“today I rise to commend the House on the passage of H.R. 5 and to encourage the other body to immediately take up meaningful medical liability reform, the lack of which constitutes the number one health care problem in America today. Doctors are being driven out of their practices by staggering medical liability insurance premiums, a direct result of the incredible increase in medical liability lawsuits and the mind-boggling sums of money paid in jury awards and settlements, much of which ends up in the pockets of personal injury trial attorneys. In the last 10 years in Texas, my home State, we have seen a 500 percent increase in medical liability awards. But the money is not going to the injured. Studies show that 57 percent of medical malpractice premiums go towards attorneys' fees. Frivolous lawsuits have caused professional liability premiums to jump anywhere from 50 percent to 200 percent in Texas, and the amazing fact is that most of these suits are frivolous. In fact, more than three out of four liability claims against Texas doctors are simply dismissed, dismissed for no merit. Yet, in all cases, doctors are forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars to defend themselves. Because of the skyrocketing cost of insurance, many physicians are simply closing their doors, moving away from high-risk specialties, refusing to perform certain medical procedures or, frankly, taking early retirement.”