Michael Burgess: “some good news today from down in my home State of Texas. Recognizing that a unique turnaround is under way in the State…”

“some good news today from down in my home State of Texas. Recognizing that a unique turnaround is under way in the State of Texas in the arena of medical liability reform, the American Medical Association today announced that it was removing Texas from its list of States in crisis from the medical liability crisis. The medical liability crisis in Texas was halted thanks to sweeping reforms that took place almost 2 years ago, in September, 2003, when voters in the State of Texas passed a constitutional amendment which placed an upper limit on noneconomic damages on pain and suffering. Since those reforms were passed, signs of improvement are widespread in Texas. Access to care is increasing and claims are down; physician recruitment, physician retention is up, especially in high-risk specialties. New insurers are entering the Texas medical liability market, creating more choices for doctors. Subsequently, competition is increasing; and all five of the largest insurers in the Texas medical liability market have announced rate cuts. Rates are down. Doctors are coming back to the State of Texas. This is good news for the patients of Texas as access and affordability have increased. This House should take up the bill that we passed 2 years ago and react similarly. ____________________”