Litigation

Administration's medical 'tort reform' barely noticed, save for AMA

By Carter Wood

Last Friday, the Department Health and Human Services announced $25 million in grant awards under its The HHS Patient Safety and Medical Liability Initiative, the Administration's attempt to neutralize the tort reform element in the campaign debates over health care. Whether it was the timing or the underwhelming nature of the announcement -- grants! to universities! -- the major news media barely noticed. California Health Line has a good summary of the thin coverage, some written in anticipation of the reports. (Earlier POL post.)

In a post at the White House blog, OMB health care advisor Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel took note of the support of the American Medical Association:

The grants were praised by J. James Rohack, M.D., the President of the American Medical Association who said "The AMA is pleased that federal medical liability reform demonstration projects are quickly moving forward, with $25 million in grants to state programs announced today."

Such effusive praise. The entire statement from Dr. Rohack is at the AMA website, "AMA-Supported Federal Medical Liability Grants Move Forward," and its most interesting point is the lack of any reference to damage caps, long an AMA priority.

Full post as published by Point of Law on June 15, 2010 (boomark / email).