The medical tort system does not deter medical errors, compensates a small percentage of patients affected by negligent care, and is driving shortages in specialty care through rapidly rising insurance rates. New approaches, including an administrative system of health courts may address these issues and improve patient safety.
Medical Malpractice
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What Are the Issues Surrounding Medical Liability Reform?
January 1, 2012 | Issue Brief
Some policy-makers, backed by physicians and insurers, advocate tough federal limits on medical malpractice lawsuits as a means to curb the nation’s relentlessly rising health spending.
What Are the Best Ways to Control Medical Liability Costs?
January 1, 2012 | Issue Brief
Experts estimate that medical liability suits cost the U.S. health care system an annual total of about $56 billion in direct litigation costs and the indirect costs of defensive medicine.
Low Costs of Defensive Medicine, Small Savings from Tort Reform
September 1, 2010 | Journal Article
In this paper, the authors present the costs of defensive medicine in 35 clinical specialties to determine whether malpractice liability reforms would greatly reduce health care costs.
Medical Malpractice
May 1, 2006 | Issue Brief
As a result of rapidly rising medical malpractice insurance premiums, reduced availability of coverage, and financially distressed liability insurers, many states have passed tort reforms. This synthesis examines the medical malpractice "crisis" and the effect of state tort reforms.
Tort Law and Medical Malpractice Insurance Premiums
September 1, 2006 | Journal Article
The United States appears to be in a new medical malpractice “crisis” after years of relative stability. Physicians, attorneys, policy-makers and other interested parties are debating what to do about recent substantial rises in malpractice premiums ...
Damages Caps in Medical Malpractice Cases
June 1, 2007 | Journal Article
The article summarizes the research on damages caps and explores the impact of these studies on policy decisions by courts and legislatures.
Bending the Curve: Person-Centered Health Care Reform
April 29, 2013 | Report
Experts recommend solutions for closing the gaps in quality and efficiency of health care.
Hedrick Smith PBS Series Does a Complete Workup on Health Care
June 1, 2003 | Program Result
From 1998 to 2001, Spartanburg, S.C.-based Hedrick Smith Productions, headed by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Hedrick Smith, produced two PBS programs examining managed care and other major health care issues. They also conducted an outreach campaign in connection with the programs.