The 1990-page of camouflage in the House “health care reform” bill (H.R. 3962, a.k.a. NancyCare) can hide a lot of provisions that would melt in the light of day.
Here’s one, described as “blowing a kiss to trial lawyers”:
Section 2531, entitled “Medical Liability Alternatives,” establishes an incentive program for states to adopt and implement alternatives to medical liability litigation. [But]…… a state is not eligible for the incentive payments if that state puts a law on the books that limits attorneys’ fees or imposes caps on damages.
No incentives for tort reform, in other words, if the state has already enacted significant tort reform!
This is probably not a CBO-scorable provision, but in the long term this section would probably cost much more than the average $500,000,000 per page calculated by Rep. Tom Price, M.D., (R-GA). Also remember that government programs have historically cost many times the amount promised.
The AMA House of Delegates may address the bill at their interim meeting in Houston, Nov. 7-11. As of this writing, the AMA website does not reflect awareness of this anti-tort reform poison pill.
Actions:
Be sure your state medical society and its AMA delegates know about this provision.
If you are near Houston, wear your scrubs and lab coat and greet the Tea Party Express in Houston on Nov. 7. AAPS Director Juliette Madrigal, M.D., will speak at the 11:30 rally at the Sam Houston Race Park. A caravan plans to drive by the AMA meeting site, and encourage the AMA to do the right thing.
