Common Good’s Medical Malpractice “Panel” – What A Bunch of Scaredy Cats!

You know when groups are really scared of the truth.  They hold “panel” discussions on controversial topics and don’t invite experts to speak who might hold an opposing viewpoint, lest their foundation funders and audience members hear embarrassing comments and even corrections!

Such was the case with yesterday’s little soiree at the National Press Club, hosted by corporate lawyer Phil Howard and his little group called “Common Good” to discuss “Medical Liability Reform Innovations”, which included panelists hoping to scoop up some of the $25 million allocated by the Obama Administration to explore weakening patients’ legal rights, funded by taxpayers, many of whom are, well, patients.

We weren’t surprised to see the panel loaded up with representatives from the health care and medical lobbies.  But we were especially interested to see who of the group professed to represent patient safety, the real concern of many we know who strongly oppose limiting access to the courts (and told the President so). 

Looks like Dr. Lucian L. Leape, Chair, Lucian Leape Institute at the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) was in the house.  The rabidly anti-civil justice American Medical Association was NPSF's founding sponsor, along with CNA/HealthPro and 3M.  Martin J. Hatlie, President, Partnership for Patient Safety, was there.  He used to be on the boards of the Physician Insurers Association of America and the American Tort Reform Association, and has been connected to other anti-civil justice groups for quite some time.  So, I think that’s it!

Had they asked us, we could have at least sent over a few fact sheets about how these “innovations” always harm patients, are very costly and unconstitutional.  Like this, this, this, this, and this. 

Guess some people can’t handle the truth??

Comments

[Martin Hatlie]

Was amused to see this piece. Anyone who has kept up knows that I have completely changed my positions on tort reform since the time I worked for the AMA and was on the Physician Insurers Board. That's what I talked about at the Common Good event. I want more patients compensated, and in fair amounts. Not a fan of the adversary system perpetuated by highly compensated lawyers, though. Takes too long and costs too much to resolve claims. My bottom line: More of the dollars spent need to go to the people injured.

Marty Hatlie

[Andy Hoffman]

Thanks for letting us know that you are trying to distance yourself from the views of the AMA and the Physician Insurers Board, but we are not sure how advocating wiping out the jury system, as health courts would do, is not "tort reform." We strongly disagree that alternative systems that replace judges and juries with systems largely controlled by the health care industry are ever fair for patients.