We have often blogged in this space about the fact that tort reform does not really do anything to drive down health care costs, does nothing to improve overall healthcare, and does not have the result of attracting more physicians to a state. In fact, it is merely a ruse to assist large corporations and insurance companies in avoiding responsibility for their actions.
An article by Joanne Doroshow in the Huffington Post posits that not only does tort reform not positively impact health care and its costs, but it actually leads to poorer care for all patients. The article summarizes studies performed by the Northwestern University, Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management, and the Northwestern University School of Law. In summary, the studies found:
- “Consistent evidence that patient safety generally falls” after damage caps are enacted. The full study on this topic can be downloaded here.
- “Caps on damages” actually increase health care costs. The full study on this topic can be downloaded here.
- When a state passes caps, the only kinds of doctors the stated seems to attract are plastic surgeons. The full study on this topic can be downloaded here.
The full article can be read here.
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