Many politicians are looking to Texas as a rolemodel, particularly in terms of the blessings that resulted from our 2003 wave of medical malpractice reform. According to an article here, this view is flawed. There is no disputing that soaring medical costs are a problem that frequently overburden families throughout the country. Nevertheless, Texas is a lesson in how malpractice reform is not always the answer.
For instance, Alex Winslow of Texas Watch, a consumer rights advocate, states that health care costs have soared faster in Texas than anywhere else in the county. As a result, Texas has the lowest number of insured individuals in the country; about one in four Texans has health insurance. Many news sources have reported on the exodus of physicians swarming into Texas. While there is some truth to this, The Center for Public Integrity reports that Texas ranks 41st in the number of doctors per capita, indicating the doctors are still badly needed in the Lone Star State.
Many will point out, as several news sources have long indicated, that Doctors have seen a 25% drop in medical liability insurance rates. Nevertheless, the fact remains that ordinary consumers are finding it more difficult to find insurance and more expensive to pay their medical bills.
Consequently, Texas is not the idyllic example of the advantages of medical malpractice reform. There are some benefits, but there are significant drawbacks as well. You can read The Center for Public Integrity article here.
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