News out of the state of Missouri is that their malpractice claims hit a 10 year low. The reason? Well, tort reform measures were passed in 2005. They included a $350,000 cap on noneconomic damages in medical liability cases. It also included restrictions on where lawsuits may be filed and requirements that plaintiffs attach an expert opinion, or certificate of merit, with the initial filing of a case. This has resulted in lower malpractice insurance and an increase of doctors coming to the state. Hooray! A success story for the government to follow! Wait a minute...this just in....lawyers are challenging the reform measures before the state Supreme Court stating they "violate patients' equal protection and jury trial rights". What that last sentence means is that it violates the lawyers' paychecks. And this is why there is no tort reform and may never be any tort reform in the government's new plans. The present administration is beholden to the trial lawyers who backed them for their election. Mr. Obama, where is the transparency and honesty you have talked so much about?
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