Another Week and Another Article About Texas' Medical Malpractice Caps Not Working

Brooks Schuelke

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Last week, I wrote about a study that found that Texas' medical malpractice caps discriminate against the retired and the unemployed. Today, the Dallas Morning News had an article looking at another aspect of medical malpractice reform: whether the reform is leading to reduce health care costs, one of the promises used to convince Texans to amend our constitution to enact the caps.

Not surprising, the article concludes that the caps have not reduced costs for consumers. The article notes that both health insurance costs and Medicare expenses, a guide to health care costs, have continued to increase rapidly. And Texas isn't alone. A December University of Alabama study looked at 27 states (including Texas) that had enacted tort reform measures, and the study concluded "tort reforms have not led to health care cost savings for consumers."

Despite the mounting evidence, we continue to hear the cries from big business and insurance companies that we need more regulation. We're just over 1/2 way through the legislative session, and there continues to be a push to limit consumers' rights. I just hope that this time the legislators will look at the evidence and not allow the wool to be pulled over their eyes.