Another tort reform success story

Sailor,

You’re missing the point. The point here is that doctors saved some money. The injured people really don’t matter that much if a few dollars are saved on malpractice insurance temporarily. And of course, insurers reduced a little more risk regardless of the harm their insured caused. So they make more money, too, which is also good.

Of course, considering Arkansas really never had that many big claims anyway, and payouts had not increased much beyond medical inflation, if at all, and that states WITHOUT caps actually reduced rates thanks to the improving investment climate, there was no real need for a cap anyway.

But hey, when my insurer wins, I win – right?

You guys are full of it as usual. The cap is on punitive and noneconomic damages. People will still be compensated for economic damages fully. And, a cap of a million dollars is far more generous than any other state I can think of that has passed such a cap.

And yes, states that have passed caps have seen huge decreases in the number of lawsuits filed, with Texas being the best example. You can lie all youm want about how it hasn’t been proven that the caps were responsible, but that’s just idiocy But, whatever helps you sleep at night. With time, they’ll be caps almost everywhere (since they work) and maybe the ambulance chasers can all move to Guam.

I don’t think ole clueless anon 9:07 has any idea what “government” medicine will involve. Yes docs will take a pay cut, they also will work more humane hours. Yes everyone “may” have insurance, you will just have to wait X number of months for an non emergent appt. This is “government” medicine, nobody gives two hoots about your medical problem. Think of one giant VA (for those of you who know what I am talking about). When it comes to malpractice, docs will be under the federal tort system. Will the quality of care be as good? I doubt it but it won’t be the doctor’s problem anymore. It will be some federal flakey…we all know how good at “fixing” things they are. Watch out for what you wish for….

“And what makes you think you’ll get better hours?”

Do you have any clue how government medicine works? It doesn’t sound like it. Just talk to some docs who work at your local VA then get back to me.

“Plus, the respect level is getting ready to really drop. The comeuppance of so many of you will be sweet”

Drop to a lawyer’s level?
The fact is the respect level has already dropped significantly. This is multifactorial and has alot more to do with American society in general than docs. The fact is docs can do much more than 40-50 years ago when they were held in such “reverence”.

“We’ll see how comfortable you all are with that pay cut when you have to dial your lifestyles back. And what makes you think you’ll get better hours?”

Highly unlikely there would be any significant pay cut. And, just like the VA docs, definitely better hours.
Anon 1:14 AM, your comeuppance will be sooooo sweet when you have to wait months for your office appointment.