Doctors offer 'second opinion'
The Omaha World-Herald, NE - Oct 21, 2009
...Another of the coalition’s principles is that the “surest and quickest way” to slow down rising health care costs is through “comprehensive medical malpractice reform.” Most experts seem to agree that at least some of the increase in health care costs is the result of doctors practicing defensive medicine, or ordering unnecessary tests to guard against possible lawsuits...

Opinion - Newt Gingrich & Wayne Oliver: Civil justice reform still has a place
Politico.com - Oct 21, 2009
...On Oct. 9, the Congressional Budget Office pronounced that a tort reform, or civil justice reform, package would reduce the federal budget deficit by an estimated $54 billion over the next 10 years. At the Center for Health Transformation, we believe that is a low estimate and just a drop in the bucket in terms of savings if civil justice reforms were enacted...

Opinion - Roy H. Thomas, MD: Extend Ohio's success with tort reform
The Cincinnati Enquirer, OH - Oct 21, 2009
...Tort reforms works. Between 2002 and 2005, the OSMA supported 20 medical liability reforms enacted by the Ohio General Assembly. These reforms have brought stability to a medical liability marketplace that had been in crisis, with rapidly rising premiums...

Opinion - David Holden: Office visit: Real reform, real access
The Journal Record, Oklahoma City, OK - Oct 21, 2009
...Just last legislative session, Oklahoma Republicans and Democrats worked together to pass reform. The bill capped noneconomic damages, reformed class-action lawsuits and at the same time, allowed Oklahomans who have truly been wronged to have their day in court...

New malpractice idea in health care debate
The Associated Press - Oct 20, 2009
...The Obama administration is keeping all its options open. A stronger medical malpractice initiative could help the health care bill get votes from moderates and conservatives. It could also alienate some liberals. The political balance is unclear...

Opinion - Scott Harrington: Competition and health insurance
Wall Street Journal, NY - Oct 20, 2009
...Repealing the antitrust exemption would also not lower the cost of malpractice insurance, or prevent future malpractice insurance crises, such as those that occurred in the mid-1970s, mid-1980s, and earlier this decade. It would instead tend to reduce rate accuracy and undermine competition in already fragile malpractice markets...

Opinion - John McClaughry: Health care and the free market
Bennington Banner, Bennington, VT - Oct 20, 2009
...In most states, many doctors -- especially obstetricians, anesthesiologists and neurosurgeons -- face staggering medical malpractice premiums. This results from courts and juries imposing extravagant pain and suffering awards...