The Chattanoogan - Bryson Files Malpractice Bill

Bryson Files Malpractice Bill

posted May 15, 2006

Sen. and governor candidate Jim Bryson (R-Franklin) today filed legislation "to end the runaway medical malpractice litigation that is driving up the cost of healthcare."

He said, "Any successful health care plan must reform lawsuit abuse in Tennessee. There is no point in trying to provide access if we are going to allow doctors and specialists to be driven out of business by frivolous legal action."

He said his medical malpractice reform would limit punitive or noneconomic damages in individual cases. Actual medical expenses and lost wages would not be capped.

"Lawsuit abuse is destroying the healthcare delivery system in Tennessee," said Sen. Bryson. "Our rural areas are hardest hit, particularly women in need of obstetric and gynecological care."

Tennessee has been designated as a "crisis state" by the American Medical Association because threat of lawsuits and increasing malpractice insurance rates limits access to health care across the state, it was stated. Texas, Georgia and Mississippi have enacted medical malpractice reform that has reduced malpractice insurance rates and retained or attracted physicians to practice in those states, he said.

He stated, "Nationally, half of all neurosurgeons nationwide are sued every year. In Tennessee, every cardiothorasic surgeon practicing for 10 years or more has been the victim of a lawsuit. Most individual healthcare providers working in gynecology and obstetrics for 10 years have also been sued."

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_85828.asp