Message from Common Good Regarding Medical Liability Reform

The AMCNO has received an alert from Common Good – an organization that has been pushing for medical liability reform at the federal level for some time. Common Good noted that in the coming weeks, Congress will begin debating health care reform in earnest. But none of the bills likely to be taken up makes mention of medical liability reform – arguably one of the most important components of any effort to improve the quality of patient medical care, control costs, and reduce the fear of litigation that drives so much “defensive medicine.” Let doctors focus on practicing medicine.

For several years Common Good has championed medical liability reform proposals – and health courts in particular – that would provide a more reliable system of medical justice – for both patients and providers alike. A more reliable medical justice system would reduce waste and promote patient safety by lessening the culture of legal fear that currently infects almost every health care encounter.

The AMCNO has championed change to the medical liability system as well both on the state and national levels. We spearheaded legislation in Ohio attempting to offer alternative dispute resolution models for medical liability cases but the legislation did not pass in the last General Assembly. 

We agree with Common Good that it is important that physicians alert their congressional representatives that medical liability reform must be a part of any health care reform package. 

Common Good has provided these two links to assist physicians in contacting Congress – and suggested language for a letter is also included below. 

• Contact your U.S. Representative: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml 

• Contact your U.S. Senator: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

• Suggested language: “Congress must include medical liability reform in any health care reform package. By changing the medical liability system, Congress will reduce waste, promote patient safety, and align the interests of patients and doctors.”