How eliminating defensive medicine could save trillions

[Geee]

Washington Times:

As the calendar later this week marks the third anniversary of passage of the most controversial legislation in a generation — the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare — states are beginning to grapple with how to cope with the unbearable costs associated with the new federal health care reform law.

Many states are rebelling against provisions such as state-created marketplaces or “exchanges” for low-income workers to purchase health insurance or expand the pool of residents who qualify for Medicaid. A few, however, are embracing the true concept of health care reform — finding a path to reduce health care costs for everyone.

Two pioneers leading the charge to slash costs and create a less-contentious environment in the practice of medicine are Georgia and Florida. There, lawmakers are considering legislation that would eliminate one of the biggest drivers of health care costs: the practice of defensive medicine.

They would do it by completely repealing their state’s medical tort system so that no doctor, hospital or medical provider would ever be sued again.