ABA opposes federal bill that would impose caps in med-mal cases

The ABA Journal is reporting that the ABA recently sent a letter to House lawmakers urging them to reject a bill that would impose a  cap of $250,000 on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases.  You can read the letter here.

The bill, ironically known as the Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017, also would eliminate joint and several liability and would authorize courts to reduce contingent fees. The ABA opposes those provisions as well.

Were it to become law, this bill would be terrible for victims of medical malpractice which is now the third most common cause of death in the US (also here, here and here).  As all other tort reform efforts its purpose is to make it difficult, if not impossible, for victims to be able to recover for their injuries.  There is no support for the proposition that bills like this one will reduce costs of medical care, or result in better care and their implementation impact those who need protection the most:  the elderly, the poor, children, etc.

Hopefully, legislators will do the right thing and follow the ABA's advice.  Otherwise, give it some time and we will see medical malpractice move up from the third spot in the list of causes of death.