Physicians rally on Capitol Hill for tort reform

Lawmakers who share the doctors' views urged physicians to put additional pressure on Congress.

By David Glendinning, AMNews staff. May 9, 2005.

Washington -- Busloads of white-coated physicians, medical students and other health professionals took to the U.S. Capitol's West Lawn last month to urge Congress to approve medical liability damage caps.

While attendees occasionally chanted slogans, doctors and lawmakers gave addresses calling for action on a medical liability reform bill that has passed the House several times in recent years. Audience members held up signs saying "Save our doctors," "Stop jackpot justice" and "Cure medicine." Some participants toted placards calling for the establishment of a medical court that would hear alleged malpractice cases outside of the traditional tort system.

The Coalition for Accessible Physicians, a grassroots organization based in New Jersey, sponsored the rally and helped transport doctors from nine Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Chartered buses carrying coalition members from Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia met outside of Washington and drove into the district en masse.

American Medical Association Immediate Past President Donald J. Palmisano, MD, urged participants to maintain a unified front. The AMA is fighting for legislation that includes a $250,000 cap on noneconomic damages in suits against doctors.

"We have to lift our many voices in a single refrain for reform, because different messages are fodder for inaction," Dr. Palmisano said. "They give lawmakers an excuse not to pass meaningful reform."