Michael Burgess: “I rise this evening with great concern about a recent development that occurred yesterday here on the Hill. In the other…”

“I rise this evening with great concern about a recent development that occurred yesterday here on the Hill. In the other body, the failure to close debate on medical liability reform, the most important legislation that this body passed in March, was to address this crisis; and now that reform is in danger. The House passed H.R. 5 to control unsustainable medical liability premium increases and to preserve patient access to important medical specialists. Based on a 1975 California law, the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act of 1975, that has held down premium increases in that State, H.R. 5 would place a cap on noneconomic damages in medical liability cases. This bill would not limit access to the courthouse. This bill would not limit damages to those who have been injured by negligent actions. This bill would not reward bad doctors. This bill would not protect HMOs. This bill will increase access to important specialists such as neurosurgeons, perinatologists, and trauma surgeons. This bill will return sanity to a legal system that currently resembles a Las Vegas gaming device.”