ACP expresses support for key policies of Affordable Health Care for America Act Nov 3, 2009
ACP's letter concluded by saying, "While the College believes that additional steps will be required to reverse a catastrophic shortage of primary care physicians for adults, to make the cost of health care sustainable, to reduce the costs of defensive medicine, and to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable coverage, H.R. 3962 would represent an historic step forward to achieving ACP's desired future of a U.S. health care delivery system that provides access, best quality care and... (EurekAlert!)
Vitter blasts Obamacare before mostly like-minded crowd Nov 2, 2009
n Enact tort-reform legislation that would, in part, reduce so-called defensive medicine in which doctors call for unnecessary tests just to cover their bases in case of a malpractice lawsuit. A government option is the first step to socialized medicine, Vitter said. (WWLTV.com, LA)
Report: Karzai's brother gets CIA pay Nov 1, 2009
I used to be a doctor, I know how much is wasted on defensive medicine. Everybody I practiced with spends hours and enormous amounts of money on wasted tests, diagnostic and procedures -- all to avoid lawsuits. (Salon)
Pelosi's biggest one yet! 1,990 pages... Oct 30, 2009
It should encompass reduction of medical errors, complete elimination of "defensive medicine", a tort system that protects doctors and care-givers as well as the patients, and health education that really teaches our kids about healthy living. As well as adults. (The Drudge Report)
Hawaii doctors frustrated by pay setup, AMA chief says Oct 27, 2009
Besides a new payment formula, he said the AMA advocates health coverage for all Americans, elimination of denials for pre-existing conditions, making sure patients have a choice, ensuring that patients and doctors make health care decisions -- not insurance companies or government bureaucrats -- developing incentives for quality and wellness, eliminating paperwork waste, and tort reform to reduce "defensive medicine" and unnecessary costs ... Besides a new payment formula, he said the AMA... (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Preventing preemies: New rules limit induced labor Oct 27, 2009
Then there's defensive medicine, where doctors worried about litigation induce for minor reasons like a slight uptick of the mother's blood pressure. So Pittsburgh also had "a little bit of a hard sell" after discovering nearly 12 percent of elective deliveries broke the 39-week rule in 2004, Fisch says. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Malibu dentist aims to ban mercury amalgam fillings (3) Oct 25, 2009
To emphasize my point, let me offer two words: defensive medicine. Lawsuits and scientific method dont mix well. (Malibu Times, CA)
Not a sure solution Oct 24, 2009
Just implementing a loser pays regarding lawsuits like the UK would help prevent the practice of defensive medicine and duplication of tests would lower costs. Competition between all insurance providers across state lines, just like the automobile insurance would lower costs. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Liberals Open Fire on Harry Reid Oct 23, 2009
Liberal Advocacy Groups Say Majority Leader Will Lose His Reelection Bid if There's No Public Option in Health Care Bill. CBS News Capitol Hill Correspondent Nancy Cordes and Capitol Hill Producer Jill Jackson join Sharyl Attkisson to break down everything you need to know about the five health care bills in the House and Senate. (CBS News -- Politics)
New malpractice idea in health care debate Oct 21, 2009
In a turnaround, it recently concluded that malpractice curbs would lower the federal deficit by $54 billion over 10 years, mainly because Medicare and Medicaid wouldn't have to pay as much for defensive medicine ... It would also protect doctors who adhere to the standards, getting at the root of the problem of defensive medicine ... "Defensive medicine is the result of distrust by doctors in situations where they are blamed when a sick person get sicker, but they didn't do anything wrong,"... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
American health care: What a waste Oct 19, 2009
Finally, the bills make no attempt to address the matter of greedy lawyers forcing doctors to practise expensive defensive medicine for fear of being sued to kingdom come. What was produced this week was not the final outcome; the legislation will change as the work of reconciling the different versions of the bill continues. (The Economist)
Scaling Back Justice? Oct 19, 2009
" Nowhere is the argument over "over-lawyering" more intense than in the field of medical malpractice. Critics point to studies, like , that calls the overhead cost of malpractice litigation "exorbitant," and says the issue is so complicated that claims can result in verdicts unfair to both doctors and patients. Not so, says Howard. And when it comes to medical claims, he indeed has no faith in juries . . . none at all . . . and wants the law changed. Today, says the medical profession, fear of... (CBS News)
Montana a leader on medical tort reform Oct 16, 2009
Proponents of "tort reform" argue that it reduces the cost of "defensive medicine," meaning the overuse of tests and procedures to ward off potential lawsuits. It's hard to quantify the costs of defensive medicine or the savings from limits on malpractice claims ... bub wrote on Oct 15, 2009 10:45 AM:" This article fails to address three things, the number of claims that never go to the panel and are settled out of court because legal costs associated with the claims are deemed to high to try to... (Montana Standard, MT)
Insurers: Health reform needs mandate Oct 15, 2009
In addition for calling for stronger mandates on obtaining coverage, Serota wants Congress to consider allowing age discounts for young people, eliminating new insurer fees, lowering minimum benefits and reforming the current medical liability system so that doctors don t practice defensive medicine that drives up costs through unnecessary medical services. bmook@bizjournals. (Denver Business Journal, CO)
Steele wants a 'Rodney King moment' Oct 15, 2009
Yet another gorilla goes by the ominous name of "TORT REFORM" also known as the unknown cost of pursuit of a Medical degree(limits those interested in a doctors career)also goes by the name of "DEFENSIVE MEDICINE" and finally it's most expensive moniker "FRIVOLUS LAWSUITS" with NO agressive inclusion of neutralizing the effects on "COST CONTAINMENT" of any healthcare bill ,house or senate, Those gorillas will pull the legs off and eat the bill into oblivion. So,why bother to do it WRONG,Are you... (TheHill.com)
Control health costs without raising taxes Oct 14, 2009
The reasons include the aging of baby boomers; the increased needs for health care services as people get older; the increasing amount of free care provided to the uninsured or underinsured; the higher premiums paid to insurance companies; the cost of defensive medicine provided by physicians and the cost of providing health care that Medicare and Medicaid do not cover. Columns and blogs. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
IBD Poll: Doctors Oppose Healthcare Changes Oct 14, 2009
Physicians say they practice too much defensive medicine, which drives up costs, just to protect themselves from lawsuits, according to IDB.. The costs of this are enormous, though hard to precisely quantify. (Newsmax)
A Sure Way To Cut Medical Costs Oct 14, 2009
To shield themselves from abusive lawsuits, doctors feel they need to engage in defensive medicine. They order tests and procedures they don't believe to be necessary, and schedule redundant visits and consultations out of an abundance of caution. (Investors Business Daily)
Udall visits Cibola General Hospital Oct 14, 2009
Doctors feel compelled to practice defensive medicine as a hedge against lawsuits and that adds to the total cost for everyone. Cochran went on to say that medical outcomes in Canada are as good as ours. (Grants Cibola County Beacon, NM)
Legislators tackle important issues at local breakfast (2) Oct 12, 2009
Bobb claimed doctors are practicing defensive medicine because they are afraid of malpractice suits. I used to tell a patient they had a sprained ankle, wrap it, and send them home to put it on ice, he said. (Brownstown Jackson County Banner, IN)
City Year founder hits the suburban campaign trail Oct 12, 2009
"Doctors do practice defensive medicine because they're afraid," said Khazei. He says lobbyists hold too much sway in the present health care debate. (Allston Brighton TAB, MA)
Where's the GOP Health Care Alternative? Oct 12, 2009
Tort reform to reduce costly "defensive medicine.". Incentives to save through health savings accounts. (ABC News)
CBO: Malpractice bill would save $54B Oct 10, 2009
That conclusion was mostly due to the difficulty of quantifying how much money is wasted on so-called defensive medicine, a term for doctors ordering up possibly unnecessary tests and procedures to shield themselves from charges they failed to do enough to help their patients. According to the CBO, $41 billion of the budgetary savings would be the result of lower spending in Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. (TheHill.com)
CBO: Medical malpractice reforms could save billions Oct 10, 2009
Yesterday, Elmendorf essentially acknowledged what doctors have been arguing for years: The fear of being sued leads them to practice defensive medicine ... Obama has tried to straddle the argument, siding with doctors on defensive medicine and agreeing with lawyers who say limits on jury awards are the wrong remedy. (Boston Globe)
Click to read:Poll: Congress Gets Low Health Care Grade Oct 10, 2009
Failure of Obama to comprehend how expensive so called defensive medicine is. Since he won't lift his finger to revise the hostile medmal climate, we will spend countless billions of dollars of unnecessary care, which will not improve any outcomes. (CBS News)
Less Medical Liability, Cheaper Insurance? Oct 9, 2009
It found no proof that those limits have reduced "defensive medicine" - expensive and unnecessary tests and procedures ordered by a doctor only to reduce the risk of a lawsuit. MMIX The Associated Press. (CBS News -- Health)
Fiscal McCarthyism Oct 9, 2009
Republicans have been saying for some time that Democrats can begin to address such waste, fraud and abuse by eliminating the practice of defensive medicine through appropriate tort reform measures ... Addressing and eliminating defensive medicine could alone pay for expanded health coverage for virtually every uninsured citizen. (Human Events Online)
Another View: The conservative case for reform Oct 7, 2009
- Lawsuit reform: It makes no sense to ignore one of the biggest cost drivers in the system -- the cost of defensive medicine, largely driven by lawsuits. Worse, many doctors have stopped performing high-risk procedures for fear of liability. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
House speaker, WPH CEO debate health care Oct 7, 2009
BigBrad wrote on Oct 6, 2009 9:07 AM:" The biggest thing congress could do to control cost, they won't touch: Tort Reform! According to the Wall Street Journal, "Eliminating defensive medicine could save upwards of $200 billion in health-care costs annually, according to estimates by the American Medical Association and others. " (Sept 29, 2009). http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204488304574432853190155972.htmlAlso, I love the comments that the government is going to lower or at... (Cody Enterprise, WY)
In name game, Pagliuca takes his time Oct 6, 2009
Duplicative testing and "defensive medicine," he said, intended to legally cover doctors in the event of a malpractice suit inflates health costs by $300 billion to $400 billion. He wants everyone to have health insurance because he says it is the moral thing to do. (Allston Brighton TAB, MA)
Pros, cons and possible solutions Oct 4, 2009
The cost of defensive medicine is $150 per month for each American family ... Up to one-third of every medical dollar is spent on defensive medicine and tort litigation. (Gillette News-Record, WY)
Physicians struggle with forms, reimbursements and lack of payment Oct 4, 2009
More significantly, it has resulted in the practice of defensive medicine ... Medical legal reform and reform from the practice of defensive medicine: This alone has been estimated to result in the savings of billions of dollars. (Gillette News-Record, WY)
The proposed plan is rushed, and not thorough Oct 4, 2009
The proposed legislation also needs to better address tort reform to reduce the need for defensive medicine. Finally, I am also concerned that the proposed legislation does not incentivize or establish accountability for people to reduce controllable behaviors such as smoking, obesity, alcohol and drug use and others that ultimately result in increased health care costs. (Gillette News-Record, WY)
Keeping Them Honest: Health Insurance Oct 2, 2009
Sep 10: Doctors' concern about 'defensive medicine' leads Obama to back pilot malpractice reform programs ... Jun 17: Industry watchers say the practice of 'defensive medicine' is a controversial and wasteful contributor to the nation's escalating cost of medical care. (CNN -- Money)
Q: What is the actual percentage of annual U.S. healthcare costs that tort reform would address? — Jean Reber, Duluth Oct 2, 2009
A: The percentages vary, depending on the source, but the highest reported percentage is from a PricewaterhouseCoopers study that looked at wasteful spending in the health care system and found 10 percent of health costs are attributed to too much care in the form of defensive medicine and associated legal costs. That equates to about $210 billion annually. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Obama’s Tort Reform: A Tale of Two States Oct 1, 2009
The direct cost of medical liability coverage and the indirect but very real cost of defensive medicine increases the amount the federal government must pay to cover its own by an estimated $28 ... Reasonable limits placed on non-economic damages to reduce defensive medicine would reduce cost by an estimated $25. (Human Events Online)
Our view: Oversold 'solution' Sep 30, 2009
Supporters of tort reform say it also helps reduce costly "defensive medicine." The notion is that doctors will quit ordering tests, procedures and consultations that are done just to protect themselves from malpractice claims, and not because they have medical benefit. The Congressional Budget Office says there's not conclusive evidence that doctors are practicing so-called defensive medicine to an extent that would affect health care costs. (Anchorage Daily News)
Cardiologist discusses health reform Sep 26, 2009
But said that in order to achieve that goal, which mostly includes subsidizing insurance costs for the poor, jobless and for those needing expensive treatments for pre-existing conditions, administrative processes should be streamlined and liability reform should be enacted so that doctors don t have to practice defensive medicine. He defined defensive medicine as the practice of doctors ordering mostly unnecessary and expensive tests to shield them from liability ... Legal costs due to... (Brenham Banner, TX)
Why not Louisiana Sep 25, 2009
Last Updated on Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 - 11:40:05 am CDT. "If they want a demonstration project, come down to Mississippi. I'll show you a demonstration project.". (New Iberia, LA)
Truth about health care, illegal immigrants Sep 24, 2009
That, he said, would save money for premiums as well as reduce some of the costs associated with defensive medicine. "So now you have ... inner-city hospitals like the one I work at, that are doing the lion's share of seeing the un- and underinsured - including illegal immigrants - and are required to see these people by federal law," Mazzarelli said. (Athens Banner-Herald)
ALAN H. PIERROT: Broadening the health care reform debate Sep 24, 2009
Most health care professionals disagree and cite a 2003 Health and Human Services study that concluded medical malpractice premiums plus defensive medicine practices combined account for 10% of all health care expenditures. The current system of 00004000 court adjudication of malpractice lawsuits is inefficient, expensive, wasteful and poorly serves providers and patients alike. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Why wait? Cut health-care waste, fraud immediately Sep 24, 2009
As I am sure you are aware, our physicians are forced to practice defensive medicine in case they are sued. Rid health care of corruption, put comprehensive intelligent tort reform in place and then see where we are. (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)
Free speech gives GOP a license to rant Sep 23, 2009
We should start with tort reform to stop defensive medicine and high malpractice insurance. People should be able to buy their insurance across state lines, own their policy so they don't lose it with a job change, should not be shut out by a pre-existing condition, and insurance payments should not be capped. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
Pro & Con: Should liability damage caps be a part of health care reform? Sep 22, 2009
YES. Caps lower liability insurance costs and cut defensive medicine ... But these statistics fail to take into account the high cost of defensive medicine ordering extra tests and procedures, primarily to limit one s vulnerability to medical malpractice lawsuits ... President Obama mentioned that he d talked to enough doctors to know that defensive medicine may be contributing to unnecessary costs. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Shame on us all if we do nothing to fix health care Sep 22, 2009
We need meaningful reforms of an out-of-control malpractice system that reduces the enormous cost of defensive medicine while still providing compensation to patients who are harmed by medical negligence or errors. The legislation being considered by Congress makes a good start on addressing many of these issues, but we need to keep the pressure on them to get the job done. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Read the 'Cost of Freedom' recap Sep 22, 2009
Elizabeth MacDonald: By the way, the president said maybe defensive medicine ... He talked about one pilot project so he's just paying lip service in his speech last week to the joint session of congress about whether or not defensive medicine and tort costs do add to the bill ... Defensive medicine costs $230 billion. (Fox News)
Take care in changing our health care system Sep 21, 2009
Web search powered by YAHOO. Published: Saturday, Sep. (Herald Online, SC -- Opinion)
Don’t diminish patients’ right to be compensated Sep 20, 2009
It is not, as the Globe asserts, the fear of being sued that fosters costly defensive medicine. Doctors order more tests because it benefits patients. (Boston Globe -- Editorial)
Vitter vows to continue fight against government health option Sep 20, 2009
Doctors are forced to perform defensive medicine and unnecessary tests due to the litigious environment in medicine right now, he said. But some doctors who spoke at the meeting said more aggressive reforms are necessary to fix the American health-care system. (WWLTV.com, LA)
White House Seeks Malpractice Law Reform Sep 18, 2009
Defensive medicine claims are just an excuse to pad the bill ... The lawyers know this and that is why their are so many frivolous lawsuits and that is also why doctors tend to order uneccessary tests, also known as defensive medicine. (CBS News -- Health)
Grants to Examine Changes to Medical Liability Sep 18, 2009
"The cost of insurance continues to be one of the highest practice expenses for some specialties. And although malpractice premiums do not account for a large percentage of total medical costs, many physicians report that fear of lawsuits leads them to practice defensive medicine, which may contribute to higher costs.". According to an accompanying (pdf), states and health systems could apply for grants of up to $3 million over three years. (Law.com)
Obamacare Special Report Sep 18, 2009
The cost of the plan is completely offset through decreasing defensive medicine, savings from healthcare efficiencies, sifting out waste, fraud and abuse, plus an annual one percent non-defense discretionary spending stepdown. You can find more information, bill summaries and the bill s full text on the RSC. (Human Events Online)
Treating Health Like Car Can Save Money Sep 18, 2009
"Doctors are now practicing defensive medicine," Katz said. The patient needs to be armed with what is covered, then challenge the doctor to make sure his recommendations are really necessary. (Click2Houston, TX)
Prevention, wellness vital for true reform Sep 18, 2009
Reform the medical liability system to reduce the cost of unnecessary and defensive medicine. Eliminate exclusions for pre-existing conditions, guarantee issue of coverage, and ensure fairness in premium costs. (Anchorage Daily News)
The Truth About Malpractice Lawsuits Sep 17, 2009
It's common currency in the U.S. that litigation drives medical inflation by forcing doctors and hospitals to resort to "defensive medicine," overtreating patients to avoid lawsuits ... "I would say about 5% of our costs are directly attributable to malpractice premiums and another 5% to defensive medicine." ... "So-called defensive medicine may be motivated less by liability concerns than by the income it generates for physicians," the government economists concluded. (BusinessWeek)
Alaska senators' response mixed on health legislation Sep 17, 2009
She would like to see more about tort reform -- a focus she believes could cut costs by eliminating costly defensive medicine practiced by doctors worried about being sued. But Murkowski, who sits on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee that drafted its own version of a bill this summer, said she'll keep a close eye on what happens in the Finance Committee next week. (Anchorage Daily News)
Time for Sen. McCain to back health care reform Sep 17, 2009
Tort reform, to save the enormous hidden costs of defensive medicine and to reduce the high costs of liability insurance. A public option to force competitive pricing on the insurance industry. (Sierra Vista Herald, AZ)
Guest opinion: Bite the bullet on health care Sep 16, 2009
Congress should be enacting tort reform that allows injured patients to be fairly compensated and discourages frivolous lawsuits and defensive medicine expenses. There are 47 million Americans without health insurance. (Montana Standard, MT)
Obamacare Only Healthy for Lawyers Sep 16, 2009
" In his health care speech to a joint session of Congress Sept. 9, President Obama conceded that, "I don't believe malpractice reform is a silver bullet, but I've talked to enough doctors to know that defensive medicine may be contributing to unnecessary costs. "Some may call that a concession from the head of the Democratic Party. But the president stopped short of saying tort reform should be in the bill. Instead, he punted, saying the Department of Health and Human Services would conduct... (Human Events Online)
Rough road to health reform Sep 16, 2009
Beyond insurance and litigation costs, the threat of being sued forces doctors to perform additional, often unnecessary, tests and procedures (a practice euphemistically called "defensive medicine," but best filed under "I-hope-they-don't-sue-my-stethoscope-off"). Democrats largely duck the issue of tort reform, hoping we won't notice that, in a process supposedly devoid of special-interest influence, the trial lawyers' lobby has a prominent seat at the table. (NJ.com -- Times)
Joe Wilson's War Sep 15, 2009
Malpractice reform could also be handled as a stand-alone issue to control costs of defensive medicine. Why isn't it. (Investors Business Daily)
Snowe Urges Obama Drop Federally-Backed Insurance in Health-Care Overhaul Sep 14, 2009
Obama, in the 60 Minutes interview, reprised an offer he made last week in his address to Congress, saying he is willing to consider any ideas out there to reduce defensive medicine, where doctors are worrying about lawsuits instead of worrying about patient care. He also said so far the evidence Ive seen is that caps will not do that, referring to limits on medical malpractice awards. (Bloomberg -- US)
AP: Health Negotiators Look at Malpractice Changes Sep 14, 2009
Many economists are skeptical that malpractice insurance premiums paid by doctors - or even the practice of defensive medicine to avoid litigation - are major reasons for soaring health care costs. But the issue looms large politically because many conservatives in both parties are convinced that doctors routinely order up tests their patients don't need because they're afraid of getting sued. (Missourian Publishing, MO)
Tort Reform: Remedy or Red Herring? Sep 13, 2009
Skyrocketing insurance premiums are not a result of malpractice litigation, and the high cost of medical care stems more from "offensive medicine" (profiteering by doctors seeking to make an extra buck), rather than "defensive medicine" purportedly resulting from fears of malpractice suits. In 2007, the Congressional Budget Office that costs associated with medical malpractice claims only amounted to 2% of overall health care spending. (Townhall.com)
Valdez: The case for reform Sep 13, 2009
Also on her list, as well as Hertel's and Fine's, is tort reform to ease the cost of medical-liability insurance and defensive medicine, in which doctors order excessive tests as self-protection in case they are later sued by a patient. Fine also cited investment in community health clinics as a good way to reduce costs. (AZCentral -- News)
