Debate on Tort Reform - Essay Example

The escalating cost of medical bills has been attributed to excessive litigation also; therefore, the bill aims at reducing litigation by promoting patient safety. Hence, “states that apply for a grant to work on patient safety issues, rather than on other dispute resolution techniques” (Jones, 2010). In the opinion of Barack Obama, the new tort reform would improve patient safety and medical liability terms. According to Thomas Gallagher, an official of the University of Washington, the goal of the reform is to improve the culture of healthcare communication to mitigate medical malpractices and thereby increase patient safety.

He adds that the proposed changes would provide better communication training to healthcare workers. Similarly, the J. D. of New York State Unified Court System, Judy Kluger argues that the reform would protect the patients who get injuries by providers’ mistakes. Kluger also says that costs associated with medical malpractices can be minimized by the introduction of the proposed tort reform (Point of Law.com). The state of Texas successfully implemented the tort reform in 2003 to improve the efficacy of the patient-friendly ‘malpractice laws’ 2003.

The experience of Texas indicates the necessity of tort reform in all fields as they could bring considerable changes in healthcare after the implementation of the program. Before the implementation of tort reform, 85% of suits closed without allowing compensation to the patients. Similarly, the weakness in tort terms and thereby large hospital systems caused a loss of $400 each year in the form of malpractice fees. On the other hand, costs associated with malpractice insurance considerably declined by 21% after the execution of the bill.

In addition, the state of Texas could ensure the service of more physicians as a result of the tort reform in 2003. From the light of a report submitted by Health and Human Services in 2003, it would be possible to save an amount between $60 and $80 in Medicare and Medicaid if the U.S. implemented the tort reform (Physicians for Reform). Although many are in favor of tort reform, some argue that the proposed changes will not bring the estimated benefits. For instance, as Underwood (2009) reports, Tom Baker, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Law said that the planned changes would not help to reduce medical costs (The New York Times).

I am in favor of the former view that tort reform in health care would help the United States to reduce the intensity of medical malpractices and thereby associated medical costs. Since the escalating healthcare cost has become the major constraint to the nation’s economic sustainability, it should be rapidly addressed as the most important political issue. As the studies reveal, tort reform would assist the economy to reshape its healthcare industry to a great extent by reducing budgetary expenses in the health field.