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House Republicans respond to
defeat
of medical malpractice measures
Now that voters have
defeated Initiatives 330 and 336, House Republicans are thinking of
medical malpractice solutions to be introduced in the 2006 legislative
session.
“It’s obvious that voters are concerned about protecting patients’
access to affordable care, but aren’t ready to cap awards at levels
asked for in I-330,” said
Rep.
Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum. Hinkle is the ranking Republican on the
House Health Care committee. “We’ve got to take the lottery mentality
out of malpractice litigation while at the same time protecting patients
against gross negligence.”
House Republicans are readying legislation for 2006 that puts caps on
lawyer fees, sets up a fund from jury awards that benefit those without
insurance who need emergency care, and allows fair awards for cases of
gross negligence.
“Medical malpractice is an important issue to voters and I believe the
Legislature needs to address it this next session,” Hinkle said. “It’s
up to legislators to take the voters’ will and turn it into a solution
to the problem; that’s what Republicans are doing. I believe that
without a solution to runaway litigation costs, we will only hurt the
quality and variety of care available to Washington residents.”
According to the Washington State Medical Association, Washington is
losing doctors to other states; the rate of doctors leaving rose 47
percent in 2002 and 2003. Doctors aren’t performing high-risk procedures
because of soaring malpractice insurance premiums; 29 percent of doctors
stopped delivering babies over the last four years.
Hinkle said, “We’ve got to retain and recruit health care providers in
this state. We’ve got to work on bringing a variety of insurance
carriers to Washington. We’ve got to return medical decision-making back
to the patient and doctor and not put it in the hands of insurance
companies or the government. That is what the goal of any new
legislation will be.”
Hinkle is also co-chair of the Joint Task Force for Child Safety and
serves on the Children and Family Services and Appropriations
committees.
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For more information, contact:
John Handy, Assistant
Communications Director - (360) 786-5758
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