Here's another dirty little secret in the Pelosicare bill: A provision buried deep within its innards to discourage tort reform. It would give "incentive payments" to states that establish "alternative medical liability laws." Among the criteria: "the law does not limit attorneys' fees or impose caps on damages."
Virginia caps damages in medical malpractice lawsuits. Under Pelosicare, repealing the cap could bring the state an incentive payment -- quite a temptation for lawmakers dealing with tight budgets.
The measure is, of course, a sop to the trial-lawyer lobby. Its effect would be to increase health care costs by encouraging jackpot justice and scaring doctors into practicing defensive medicine. It's a good deal for lawyers, and a bad deal for everyone else.
Do Virginia's congressmen and senators consider this a good thing?
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement