The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association has endorsed the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare Act of 2011, legislation that would cap the amount for non-economic damages at $250,000, according to a letter sent by ASC Association Executive Director William Prentice to Rep. Phil Gingrey, MD (R-Ga.).
In the letter, Mr. Prentice wrote, "We believe that this legislation will greatly reduce the severe financial burden that the current medical liability system imposes on physicians and health care providers." He added that the legislation would ultimately "decrease health care costs and increase [patients'] access to high-quality care."
He added that medical liability expenses and the need to practice "defensive medicine" add to the cost of each healthcare procedure. Mr. Prentice said the HEALTH Act "provides the correct balance of reforms" by both capping non-economic damages and introducing an effective way to compensate injured patients.
Read the ASC Association letter on tort reform (pdf).
Read more on tort reform:
-5 Ways Physician Practices Will Change in 2011
-8 Key Issues for Specialists
-Physicians Say Defensive Medicine Is Rampant, Call for Tort Reform
In the letter, Mr. Prentice wrote, "We believe that this legislation will greatly reduce the severe financial burden that the current medical liability system imposes on physicians and health care providers." He added that the legislation would ultimately "decrease health care costs and increase [patients'] access to high-quality care."
He added that medical liability expenses and the need to practice "defensive medicine" add to the cost of each healthcare procedure. Mr. Prentice said the HEALTH Act "provides the correct balance of reforms" by both capping non-economic damages and introducing an effective way to compensate injured patients.
Read the ASC Association letter on tort reform (pdf).
Read more on tort reform:
-5 Ways Physician Practices Will Change in 2011
-8 Key Issues for Specialists
-Physicians Say Defensive Medicine Is Rampant, Call for Tort Reform