Frist fails, but goes yet again...

[sherry38]

For those who may have missed the news, S. 2061,
legislation that would have imposed a $250,000 cap
on non economic damages for women and babies
injured by med mal, lost on a procedural vote
Tuesday

It was defeated almost embarassingly so by the supporters.
However, Frist, in his best interests, and continued waste of taxpayers money and best interest,
Continues to insist on introducing these measures, and has assured us he will again.
And AGAIN as an underhanded, non-ethical manner of congressional protocol.
As you will see in the attached article, Frist is
determined to keep introducing bills capping
damages and will next try to pass legislation
protective of ER doctors. We can expect that this
bill will come up at the last minute and without
the benefit of committee hearings.



HEALTH
Senate Cloture Attempt Fails On Medical
Malpractice Measure
As expected, the Senate failed to invoke
cloture Tuesday on legislation limiting the
malpractice awards that injured patients may
receive for obstetrical and gynecological care.
Proponents fell 12 votes short of the 60 they
needed to limit debate on a 48-45 vote.
Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South
Carolina and Mike Crapo of Idaho, along
withBanking Chairman Shelby voted with Democrats,
while Senate Appropriations ranking memberRobert
Byrd, D-W.Va., sided with Republicans.
Backers said the bill, which would have
capped at $250,000 the non-economic damages a
plaintiff could receive, would reduce malpractice
premiums for obstetricians and gynecologists.
Those physician groups say they are being driven
from their practices by soaring insurance costs.
Reducing premiums will ensure that women have
greater access to healthcare providers,
Republicans argued.
But Democrats objected, blaming rising
premiums on problems in the insurance industry and
contending that limiting malpractice awards only
hurts victims. Democrats also defeated a broader
measure last summer that would have capped at
$250,000 the non-economic damages for all physicians.
"How can we in good conscience come to the
floor and talk about a medical malpractice bill
and conclude that the only place we need to look
is to the courtroom?" asked Sen. Richard Durbin,
D-Ill., one of the leading opponents of the bill.
Despite the setback, Senate leaders plan to
continue pressing the issue. Senate Majority
Leader Frist said Tuesday he is considering
bringing up a second, targeted bill limiting
malpractice liability in as little as three weeks.
Backers of medical malpractice legislation
plan to introduce two more bills this year aimed
at limiting physicians' liability: one aimed at
emergency room care providers and a second that
will apply to healthcare providers in rural and
inner-city areas.
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Chairman Gregg, who co-sponsored the bill, said he
expects the emergency room care bill to also cap
liability for obstetrics and gynecology.
Frist insisted that the effort to bring up
malpractice bills repeatedly -- despite a clear
lack of the votes needed to pass them -- was a
response to a critical problem, not a political
overture

To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography, and the dancers hit each other