The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform will launch a new national public awareness campaign for medical liability reform.
The chamber – the world's largest business federation, representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region – will urge Congress to take notice of the majority of voters who support medical liability reform in healthcare legislation, according to a statement issued by the organization.
"As Congressional members witnessed first-hand during their August town hall meetings, the American people overwhelmingly support medical liability reform as a way to reduce costs and improve the quality of care," said ILR President Lisa Rickard. "Unfortunately, as this debate approaches the finish line, it seems that the trial lawyer lobby is cashing in all its political chips to retain the status quo."
"Plaintiffs' lawyers are the only group that has not been asked to make sacrifices in the healthcare debate, which is why they have been fighting tooth and nail against any reforms that could impact their lucrative medical lawsuit businesses," Rickard said. "Instead of siding with the national trial lawyer lobby, our elected officials should listen to the will of the American people and include meaningful medical liability reforms in the healthcare bills moving through Congress."
An ILR advertisement being aired on national talk radio and network news programs cites high public support for reforming the costly medical liability system.
"Medical malpractice reform – 63 percent of Americans support it, and it could save $120 billion in healthcare costs, but the trial lawyers want to keep it out of health care reform," says the radio ad.
ILR leaders say the organization's mission is to promote civil justice reform through legislative, political, judicial and educational activities at the national, state and local levels.