[freesia2]

JusPasenThru, I am in Pa. and recently attended a meeting with our state representative, who is working on this issue. He believes that limiting pain and suffering awards, coupled with a peer review process to weed out bad docs, will go a long way toward solving this crisis. He is also trying to find a way to have the issue addressed more quickly than the normal legislative process allows. I am interested in doing some letter writing to urge action on this obviously very important issue. From your point of view as a physician, is my rep.'s plan a good one? And/or are there other things that you think need to be considered?

[JusPasenThru]

Thanks for all your efforts. Please check your mailbox for my thoughts on the matter.

In the meantime, as I am at the office this afternoon doing paperwork (imagine that!), I printed this entire thread minus the rants, placed it in a transparent binder, and put it on my waiting room.

[Mamzelle]

re: coupled with a peer review process to weed out bad docs)))

You'll need to provide this board with some protections, too, or no one will serve on it.

If I could suggest, a peer-review board to weed out some of the lawsuits would help, too. If there is accountability and sensible limitations, I think you'll find that docs and hospital admins want to see patients compensated. It was doctors, historically, who started the insurance in their first place. It's the lottery and circus atmospherics that have made all dig in their heels.

Proper stewardship is the answer. The system can no longer support a class of parasites in fabulous luxury.

[Jim Noble]

coupled with a peer review process to weed out bad docs

What makes a doctor "bad"?

And once they are "weeded out", who will do the work they do now?