The new leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives put medical liability reform in the spotlight last week, dedicating the first hearing in the House Judiciary Committee to fixing our nation’s broken liability system. The committee invited HCLA/PPN spokesperson, Stuart L. Weinstein, MD, to testify at the hearing, titled, “Medical Liability Reform- Cutting Costs, Spurring Investment, Creating Jobs.”

The timing and focus of the hearing emphasized how seriously the House of Representatives is taking medical lawsuit abuse and the practice of defensive medicine.

“There is no question that medical lawsuit abuse is undermining both our healthcare system and the doctor-patient relationship,” said Dr. Weinstein in prepared testimony.

“Medical liability has devolved from a system designed to protect patients rights and improve the quality of health care, to a system designed to reward personal injury lawyers.”

Dr. Weinstein called on the Congress to “create a climate for patient centered care by reforming the medical liability system that continues to put everyone’s health care at risk.”

The hearing on medical liability fixes puts the HCLA and Protect Patients Now in a prime position to help shape the debate that is already beginning to take place in the 112th Congress. To read Dr. Weinstein’s full testimony, click here.