On the recordMarch 21, 2012
Woman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chairwoman, America's medical liability system is broken and in desperate need of reform. {time} 1840 Frivolous lawsuits drive physicians out of the practice of medicine. Limitless liability discourages others from high-risk medical specialties and substantially increases the cost of health care. The solutions to this crisis are both well known and time tested, but the President's recent health care legislation did nothing to address the problems in our medical liability system. We cannot wait any longer to fix the problem. We should pass this bipartisan medical liability reform legislation to cut health care costs, spur medical investment, create jobs, and increase access to health care for all Americans. H.R. 5, the HEALTH Act, is modeled after California's decades-old and highly successful health care litigation reform. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the rate of increase in medical professional liability premiums in California since 1976 has been nearly three times lower than the rate of increase experienced in other States. By incorporating California's time-tested reforms at the Federal level, the HEALTH Act saves taxpayers billions of dollars, encourages health care providers to maintain their practices, and reduces health care costs for patients. It especially helps traditionally underserved rural and inner-city communities and women who seek obstetrics care.…
