Why I would never be a Republican.
John Labruzzo seeks to cut the cap medical malpractice claims in half for those who did not use some form of insurance to pay for services. This would clearly be unconstitutional… at least until…
State Rep. Nick Lorusso, R-New Orleans, has filed a bill to amend the Constitution and give the Legislature sole authority “to determine limitations on liability damages in medical or health care liability claims.”
The text of the bill can be read here. The bill makes me ask some questions.
A) The bill states:
“Proposed law reduces from $500,000 to $250,000 the limitation of the total amount recoverable if the patient has failed to pay for his health care services.”
So does that mean the patient has to have a portion paid for by insurance? Or does that mean that bills must be paid in their entirety? If it is the latter and someone failed to pay $5,000 in co-payments/deductibles but had insurance that covered the rest, would that mean they lose their ability to collect an additional $250,000? What sense does that make? B) I would ask Mr. Labruzzo why a patient being poor gives a doctor an excuse to give a lesser quality of care?C) As James Gill suggested, wouldn’t this law make it less likely for lawyers to take the case? Wouldn’t that make it less likely for poor people to recover any losses?All this law does is punish people for being poor. What’s next? Are they going to allow hospitals to reject people in emergency situations who cannot provide proof that they are able to pay?h/t to Elwood, who called in to the Jeff Crouere show about this disgusting bill.
April 10th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
What’s next? Are they going to allow hospitals to reject people in emergency situations who cannot provide proof that they are able to pay?
Um, yes.
That and deny emergency care to illegals. It’s part of the Republican health care plan, controling costs and all that.
April 11th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
In case you don’t hear it, I wanted to thank you for the blogging you do. I have had a hard time blogging lately, and I now know the time commitment it takes to do good blogging.
Your point of view is one that needs to be heard. If we let the Republicans have their way with us, the impoverished, who are most in need of services and least able to pay for necessities, will have virtually no services, continue to be taxed disproportionately, and continue pay HIGHER prices than the rest of us for the necessities of life.
Back to work (for which I am taxed disproportionately higher than those who live off capital gains).
This is a very good blog
April 11th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the kind words! Your post made my week!