Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri and North Carolina are the most recent states where the current liability system is adversely affecting patient care, this according to a recent report from the American Medical Association. A June 2002 AMA analysis had previously cited Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington and West Virginia as states in crisis. The number of states now in medical liability crisis emphasizes the need for Congress to pass medical liability reforms contained in the HEALTH Act (HR5), patterned after a California law that has protected patients since 1975. Key HEALTH Act provisions include: allowing injured patients, to recover unlimited economic damages; limited attorneys' fees on a sliding scale; capping non-economic damages at $250,000; and allocating damages by holding defendants liable only for their portion of responsibility.
Ohio may change election system of Supreme Court justices
Sen. Kevin Couglin (R-Cuyahoga Falls) recently introduced Senate Joint Resolution 7. This Resolution would change the current election of Supreme Court justices to an appointment system. A nominating committee, comprised of members from both political parties, would recommend a list of viable candidates, and the governor would have 30 days after receiving the committee's list to make an appointment. If 30 days pass, and no appointment is made, the nominating committee would have to submit a new list of recommended names.
The resolution would allow future Ohio Supreme Court justices two-year terms. After two years, voters would be given an opportunity to approve or disapprove the appointee's performance. Justices would sit on the bench for ten years before they are up for re-election. Currently, Ohio Supreme Court justices are elected to six-year terms.
If the Resolution passes in Legislature, voters would be asked to approve the resolution in this November's election. If approved, Ohio would join 30 other states that select justices by an appointment system.