[JSteff]

"Let's start by putting a cap on monetary awards and damages for malpractice suits"

The citizens who sue are not the ones creating the health care liability crisis. That falls on other parties or situations.

First the doctors who in most states REGULATE THEMSELVES. It is virtually impossible to get action against bad doctors or other health care personnel. Often there is not even a board or government agency to complain to. If there is in many states it is for all intents a peer review board set up by doctors. Paid for by them, accountable to them.

If there even is one, call the department of health and say that you want to complain about a doctor. Look in your phone book and see if there even is a # for a state agency to complain to or report a bad doctor to.

Doctors brought this on themselves by thwarting citizens from complaining about bad doctors or slipshod care. The real health crisis is that bad medical personnel continue to practice medicine.

[politicalwit]

Professional liability isn't the only issue here. If our cardiovascular surgeons were making $35-40K annually and registered nurses drawing $5.00/hr I'm sure our healthcare cost would drop considerably. In all probability this "carpenter" was making more per year than the surgeon that performed his surgery. Ever wonder why our healthcare system is loaded with indian healthcare professionals...MONEY, Money they can't make in their native country.