OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Medical Liability Reform

Date: April 7, 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Health and Health Care Family


MEDICAL LIABILITY REFORM

Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, earlier today I voted in favor of invoking cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2207, the Pregnancy and Trauma Care Access Protection Act. My vote was not an endorsement of S. 2207 as it was introduced in the Senate. In fact, I have concerns about various aspects of the bill-including the $250,000 cap on noneconomic damages-and I anticipate supporting amendments to S. 2207 if the Senate has an opportunity to fully debate this legislation.

However, I do believe that reform of the medical liability system should be considered as part of a comprehensive response to surging medical malpractice premiums that endanger Americans' access to quality medical care by causing doctors to leave certain communities or to cease offering critical services, such as obstetrical care. For this reason, I voted for cloture on S. 2207 in an effort to move the debate forward.

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