As the healthcare reform debate continues, medical liability reform has been one of the few things that both parties have embraced. Now, a new poll shows that Americans overwhelmingly support meaningful medical liability reform.
The poll, released Thursday by the Health Coalition on Liability and Access, shows widespread agreement that changes to the nation's broken medical liability system be included in any healthcare reform legislation passed by Congress.
"People across the country understand that the current system threatens their access to quality medical care and drives up healthcare costs for everyone," said HCLA Chairman Mike
Stinson. "If Congress truly wants to reform our healthcare system, senators and representatives must answer to their constituents and include comprehensive medical liability reform to make the system more accessible and affordable for all patients."The poll of 1,009 adults conducted in October shows that 62 percent want their elected representatives in Washington to support national comprehensive medical liability reform legislation. In addition. 69 percent believe these liability reforms should be included in any healthcare reform passed by Congress.
Further, 72 percent of survey respondents are concerned that a lack of doctors might impact the availability and quality of the care they receive, 70 percent support a law that guarantees full payment for lost wages and medical expenses but places reasonable limits on non-economic damage awards, and 68 percent favor a law that limits fees for personal injury lawyers.