May 4, 2011
byside note: Here's an interesting article that I almost missed. It's written by Joanne Doroshow of the Center for Justice & Democracy, and she uses Congressional Budget Office (CBO) numbers to argue that tort reform -- specifically the HEALTH Act being considered in Congress -- would actually increase the deficit… Continue reading...
April 7, 2011
byDeclaring New York State “functionally bankrupt” in February, newly-elected Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed a $132.9 billion budget that would reduce year-to-year spending for the first time in more than a decade. Key to his proposal was slashing the state’s projected healthcare spending, specifically cutting $2.85 billion in Medicaid funding for… Continue reading...
March 29, 2011
byside note: Here is an article that shows the conflict of interest that is inherent in our current system of medical liability, and outlines a reform idea worth closer inspection. While sovereign immunity is doubtful, it is an academic argument worth exploring. It's been a year since health care reform… Continue reading...
March 16, 2011
byside note: Right now, Wisconsin is ground zero in the labor rights fight, but the villain Gov. Scott Walker pushed through a tort reform measure during an emergency session he called during his first week in office. Below is a synopsis by the Wisconsin Trial Bar of the tort reform… Continue reading...
March 7, 2011
byside note: With all the cost-cutting that is proposed at both federal and state levels, this is an especially prescient report. As the healthcare industry, employers and government officials seek to control the growth of health spending, new efforts are needed to develop and refine quality-of-care and other performance measures… Continue reading...
March 3, 2011
byOn Feb. 10, Representatives Bob Good-latte and Dan Boren announced the creation of a bipartisan legal reform caucus, the Congressional Civil Justice Caucus. Goodlatte and Boren will serve as co-chairs of the newly formed caucus. According to the congressmen, the Congressional Civil Justice Caucus will serve as a forum for… Continue reading...
March 2, 2011
byside note: If this isn't a strong argument that New York's medical liability climate threatens access to care, I do not know what would be. A malpractice insurance company has threatened not to renew coverage for eight Bronx obstetricians who treat poor, high-risk patients. The New York Times reports that… Continue reading...
March 1, 2011
byside note: Here's an unusual piece of politics. The Democratic Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, is proposing malpractice damage caps to heal the state's economic woes. With the intention of re-structuring New York’s Medicaid system, Governor Cuomo is urging various changes to how medical malpractice suits are resolved. Primarily,… Continue reading...
February 22, 2011
byside note: Uh-oh! Is the Commissioner cracking the whip on out-of-control medical professional liability insurance rates? Or is he off-base, and rates are where they should be in California? Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones today contacted several medical malpractice insurers raising concerns about excessive rates and asking that they make a… Continue reading...
February 17, 2011
byside note: On the heels of Wisconsin, here's another new republican majority working to further the tortreform agenda. Should be an interesting process to watch. North Carolina lawmakers have begun what promises to be a long fight over medical malpractice laws as insurance and medical services companies square off against… Continue reading...