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September 12, 2009

Obama's Tort Reform

22 comments:

Opus #6 said...

My soon-to-be-ex is an orthopedic surgeon. After 7 years of marriage, I can tell you that the few lawsuits he encountered were frivolous and were thrown out of court. The malpractice insurance company handled everything. Then they jacked up his insurance rates double what they were. I don't understand why doctors or their insurance companies need to bear the brunt for truly abusive lawsuits. There needs to be some accountability on the other end.

Opus #6 said...

Ooops. Now I've looked around and I see your cool new (old fashioned) header pic. Very nice. Although I was somewhat attached to the quaint typewriter, too.

And I see you got a close-up of Rhod. However did you get him to cooperate with the photographer!

Anonymous said...

Ope, there has to be some way to stop rewarding frivolous lawsuits or some way to limit excessive awards. I'm in way over my head when we're talking legal matters, but I'm sure folks brighter than me must have a better plan.

Anonymous said...

Ope, I'm quite enjoying the new cleaner streamlined look over at your place.

BTW...I didn't understand the twitter message I received. Too complicated for me.

Rhod said...

My DeSoto stalled and there was a wine store nearby. What would you do?

plainolebob said...

the cartoon is spot on.
the events of 9/11 was a wake up call, and i hope we don't get caught napping again. it was also my b-day.

Paladin said...

My Mrs. works for a group of Pulmonary Doctors as an Office Manager. In addition to the increase in healthcare costs due to extremely expensive malapractice insurance - you also get the added cost of unnecessary testing.

If you go to the doctor or the ER for some physical complaint, they will usually barage you with every test and analysis under the sun - even if they are relatively sure they know what the problem is. What doctor in his right minde would pass on ordering a (probably) unnecessary test if it doesn't hurt the patient and it helps cover his butt in case something goes wrong?

Adds TONS to the cost of medical treatment, though. Any "reform" without addressing reasonable limitations on torts is a waste of time. These days if results of medical treatment aren't satisfactory, there's an almost guarantee of legal action from someone. Even if the Doc wins the case, somebody has to pay the lawyers..

LL said...

I'm simply thrilled that Dear Leader keeps my best interests at heart. I'm sure one day he will institute prayers in schools and that the rote prayer will be one to Dear Leader himself, for all he does for us.

Tort reform is a no-brainer. Simply make those who file frivolous lawsuits bear the burden of all costs. How tough is that?

I'm sure Dear Leader has a higher purpose in ignoring this (he sees the big picture).

Writer X said...

If anyone thinks Obama is going to get serious about tort reform, I have some beautiful ocean-front property in Arizona that I'd like to sell you...

Joie said...

I love the cartoon!

I was gonna try to email you off line, but I couldn't find an option for that. So here goes, I need your help finding a video.
Not that long ago, Obama has said something like...I do not support a single payer system. I know I saw it and heard it, but now when I try to find it for a reference I cannot. Do you remember him saying such a thing? I know of course that he is for a single payer system, but I swear he has has said different lately, just to abate anxieties...but I am having a hard time finding it.
Your help would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Joie

Maria said...

The cartoon is hilarious, but unfortunately true, Nickie.

This ship has to right itself... I'm getting sea-sick!

I read your past posts on 9-11. Thank you for adding to the tribute that spans the web this weekend.
I couldn't sleep last night and ended up posting my own remembrance. It helped to write what was in my heart.

Grace & Blessings ~ Maria

Anonymous said...

Tort reform is important, but it must be part of something larger. That is, we need to be able to sell insurance across state lines, and more fundamentally, encourage the sale of major medical policies again (those that encourage people to act as consumers of health care rather than merely beneficiaries).

As for me, what bothers me is that we need to decide if we are going to be conservatives or not. Tort law is a state matter. Here in Texas, we have made some serious reforms as to medical mal cases.

You know, come to think of it ... if the rest of the nation were more like Texas -- our legislature meets only every couple of years -- it would be much better.

We should all take great pause when the feds are meddling in matters that have always been state concerns. We seem to have lost this perspective entirely.

A lot of politicians talk this talk b/c lawyers are understandably easy targets and fundamentally lawsuit reform is a good idea. There is a much justifiable concern. But remember to beware of a federal govt. that can solve every problem.

Eliminating the regulations of selling across state lines seems a no brainer. Fed. tax incentives (i.e. savings accts. and breaks for purchasing major med policies, for instance) seem a good start.

Getting competition in medicare. You know, conservative ideas.

Anonymous said...

DC, thanks for the warning as we wander off into the pasture demanding the Feds fix the problem.

Anonymous said...

Rhod, stop your whining. Every moment of that close-up shoot was integral to the plot of the, uh, blog.

Anonymous said...

Joie,

The closest I can find is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd-F8Z6sSpA

I'm hoping this what you were looking for.

Anonymous said...

Bob, thanks for stopping by. Happy birthday. We're gonna nap. We have to. But we have to be prepared to act when we hear somebody fiddling with the screen door.

Anonymous said...

Paladin,

I have to believe that there's agreement with you about the financial impact of lawsuits. Unfortunately, so many people have a dog in this fight.

There's a whole segment of the population that views the possibility of a big medical malpractice award as their lotto ticket/meal ticket.

Anonymous said...

Writer X,

Obama's gonna fix everything! Just hurry up and pass everything he wants.

He can turn us into a big giant Chicago if we just let him.

Anonymous said...

Maria, as you said, it was an overwhelming Internet response to the day. I'm glad we had the opportunity to join in.

Snarky Basterd said...

Too bad that's not Obugger sticking out of his mouth.

Anonymous said...

Dave, it may turn out that way.

Joie said...

Thanks Nickie, I got the link you sent. It is much appreciated!