Specter to study VA cancer errors at a.m. hearing
The Philadelphia Inquirer, PA - Jun 29, 2009
...The problems represent "more than medical malpractice," said Rep. John Adler (D, N.J.), who will also be at this morning's hearing. "It is also supervisory malpractice and regulatory malpractice."

CBO finds coalition savings proposals difficult to verify
American Medical News, Chicago, IL - Jun 29, 2009
The Congressional Budget Office concluded in a June 16 letter that most of the more than $1 trillion in health system savings proposed by the American Medical Association and five other major groups either lack enough detail to be evaluated or would not involve the federal government, and therefore would not reduce government health care spending...

Reform bills give some lawmakers sticker shock
American Medical News, Chicago, IL - Jun 29, 2009
...But Dodd said he is not inclined to support including medical liability reform in the HELP legislation. "I'm not convinced that this is a legitimate issue and it will have that much impact," he said.

Opinion - Michael Kinsley: Rationing health care is our choice
The News Journal, Wilmington, DE - Jun 29, 2009
...Similarly, when fear of malpractice lawsuits leads doctors to practice “defensive medicine” — a legitimate complaint about current arrangements — it doesn’t mean that they order worthless tests. It means they order tests with only a very long-shot chance of finding something wrong...

Opinion - Michael Grunwald: The key to fixing the health-care and energy crisis: Use less
Time - Jun 29, 2009
...Ultimately, the survival of our planet and the solvency of our country will depend on cultural changes that persuade enough of us to use less energy and less health care...

Opinion - Peter Marilley: Health savings accounts best reform remedy
Watertown Daily Times, NY - Jun 29, 2009
...Decisions made by physicians and participating insurance companies are shaped to hedge against liability versus serving the need and care of the patient. Malpractice statutes contort patient care, extending well beyond physician advertencies and controlled processes...

Medical malpractice debate arises through healthcare discussion
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Ontario, CA - Jun 28, 2009
Recent discussions of nationalizing healthcare has brought a slew of issues to the table with medical malpractice being one of the most talked about. While the American Medical Association and some doctors contends the issue contributes to increasing costs in healthcare, others said that is a falsehood...

What are the hang-ups in Pennsylania's state budget?
The Patriot-News, Harrisburg, PA - Jun 28, 2009
...That's why they have put a premium on keeping hands off two major one-time funding pots -- a $750 million Rainy Day Fund and a $713 million surplus in a fund that helps doctors pay their medical malpractice premiums...

Opinion - William Haupt III: Frivolous suits result in high medical costs
The Tennessean, Nashville, TN - Jun 28, 2009
...It is estimated that more than $20 billion per year is wasted on superfluous medical tests and procedures for the sole purpose of sheltering our doctors and hospitals against hostile malpractice claims. A number of months ago, doctors in New Jersey, Florida and West Virginia walked off the job. Similar strikes in Pennsylvania, Nevada and Texas were threatened...

Opinion - R.J. Anderson: Government should subsidize malpractice insurance or cap awards
The Ledger, Lakeland, FL - Jun 28, 2009
...If the government wants to help the public and doctors for the benefit of all, why not subsidize malpractice insurance and have strict caps on litigation to start with?...

Opinion - Jack Markowitz: Forty-eight days later, my head finally quit spinning
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, PA - Jun 28, 2009
...Why don't they just promise to keep government out, cut off the lawyers' malpractice racket that inflates medical costs, and promote high-deductible insurance for cancers and catastrophes. Just like car insurance...

Judge says state can't claim fund
Nashua Telegraph, Hudson, NH (Associated Press) - Jun 27, 2009
A judge has rejected New Hampshire’s claim that a medical malpractice fund is an agency of the state...

State House Dome: Court fight may unbalance NH budget
Union Leader, Manchester, NH - Jun 27, 2009
...Balancing the budgets for the year that ends Tuesday, and for the coming fiscal year, hangs on the idea of taking $110 million in surplus from the medical malpractice insurance fund run by the Joint Underwriting Association...