GOP leaders focus on tort reform, health disparities

Other priorities include reducing the number of uninsured Americans and passing mental health parity legislation.

By Joel B. Finkelstein, AMNews staff. March 1, 2004.

Washington -- Republican leaders in the House and Senate have begun to move ahead with their 2004 health care agendas. Already medical liability reform -- a top legislative priority for the American Medical Association -- has become a hot topic.

While Republican lawmakers previously focused on comprehensive medical liability reform, the leadership recently agreed to pursue specialty-specific legislation in the hope of making a dent in the problem this year.

Last month, Sen. Judd Gregg (R, N.H.) introduced a bill that would cap noneconomic damages at $250,000 for lawsuits brought against obstetrician-gynecologists. Punitive damages would be limited to $250,000 or double the noneconomic damages, whichever is greater.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, MD (R, Tenn.), said those cap levels could be up for negotiation, signaling that Republicans are looking for progress on the issue this year.

The AMA supports the new bill as a step forward but will continue to press for tort reform for all physicians. "The AMA will be relentless in its pursuit for reform so that physicians continue to provide care to patients," said AMA President Donald J. Palmisano, MD.

In a meeting with health care reporters, Dr. Frist listed several other health care issues that may get attention this year.

He recently introduced health disparities legislation that would focus more attention and government funds on improving care for minority and poor patients. The bill would provide additional funds for physician training and education.