I’ve wrote an op-ed in the USA Today this past April about how defensive medicine wastes medical dollars.
Today, the editorial staff takes on the issue themselves, with a fierce piece decrying the current malpractice system as “arbitrary, inefficient and results in years of delay.”
The recent Massachusetts Medical Society’s study on defensive medicine was prominently included, as it was reported that “83% of its doctors practice defensive medicine at a cost of at least $1.4 billion a year. Nationally, the cost is $60 billion-plus, according to the Health and Human Services Department.”
Bravo to the USA Today for taking a strong, and I believe correct, stand on malpractice and defensive medicine. It has to be acknowledged and solved head-on if there is any hope of controlling health care costs.
Related posts:
- Why physicians order so many tests
- Why doctors order so many tests
- "Fear of erratic jury decisions in medical malpractice cases has spawned a culture of fear"
- What if there were more pet plaintiffs?
- Medical malpractice verdicts
- Will reforming the malpractice system be a deal breaker for health reform?
- “Uniquely American tort laws” contributing to health costs
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Yes, let’s all acknowledge that doctors believe “defensive medicine” exists, even though it remains undefinable! In a related report, all 5 year olds believe Santa exists!
If only we had a more efficient malpractice system that compensated injured patients quicker. Isn’t that what all the doctors and their insurance companies want? A more transparent system that people can easily access and get paid quicker on? Given how much they want it, it’s weird that we don’t have it. Hmmmm.
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