It is almost certain that there will be no federal malpractice reform legislation, despite the support of President George W. Bush. Even so, Rep. Jim Greenwood (R-PA) recently reintroduced his malpractice reform bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. H.R. 2103, the “Medical Malpractice RX Act of 2001,” essentially mirrors MICRA, the tort reform measures in place in California.
The AANS has endorsed this bill and has sent members of Congress a letter urging them to co-sponsor the measure. Neurosurgeons nationwide can write members of Congress, especially legislators from Pennsylvania, in support of the Greenwood bill. Gaining these U.S. representatives’ attention to this issue may assist in putting pressure on state policy officials to act.
Katie Orrico, JD, is Director, AANS/CNS Washington, D.C. Office.