Even though sound research clearly shows the legal system does not drive health care costs, inaccurate information about medical malpractice continues to plague honest debate about reforming America’s health care system. Health care reform is about making sure that every American has access to quality, low-cost healthcare, not about limiting the legal rights of innocent patients harmed by medical negligence. Here is an analysis that debunks many of these long-held myths with the latest data:
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Medical malpractice is a tiny percentage of health care costs – less than one and a half percent of overall spending – according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Restricting patients’ legal rights would have little to no effect on premiums or health care costs.
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Medical malpractice suits are less than one percent of the entire civil caseload, and have been declining for nearly a decade.
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The GAO and CBO have found no evidence of so-called “defensive medicine,” instead determining that doctors run additional tests to generate more income or help diagnose patients.
Congress must come out with a final bill that decreases the number of medical errors, not bargain away the legal rights of injured patients. To contact your Representative and Senators about ensuring that tort reform stays out of the health care bill, click here »
More information on protecting patients’ rights 
States that have enacted restrictions on patients’ rights (so called tort reform)
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