http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323869604578366770324716616.html?mod=opinion_newsreel
SO CALLED “DEFENSIVE MEDICINE” ALSO LEADS TO EARLIER DIAGNOSES AND TREATMENT AND ACCESS TO ADVANCED MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY…THIS COLUMN OFFERS A BAND AID FOR A GAPING WOUND…..MEDICARE IS A WELFARE LIKE ENTITLEMENT THAT NEEDS TO BE REFORMED AND MADE MEANS TESTED WITH HIGHER DEDUCTIBLES FOR WEALTHY SENIORS..NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL….RSK
End ‘defensive medicine’ by going to a system like workers’ compensation.
March 23 marks the third anniversary of the passage of the most controversial legislation in a generation, the Affordable Care Act, better known as ObamaCare. As the federal law moves toward a more thorough implementation next year, states are grappling with the costs and obligations imposed on them, such as the need to establish health-insurance “exchanges” where low-income workers can obtain coverage.
Some states are also searching for ways, outside the scope of ObamaCare, to improve health care and lower costs. A promising idea that is gaining traction is to completely overhaul medical malpractice by kicking it out of courtrooms. Two states leading the way are Georgia and Florida, where lawmakers are considering repealing their medical tort system and replacing it with a medical-compensation board similar to those used for workers’ compensation. Bills for the Patients’ Compensation System have been introduced in both states.
Getting rid of the entrenched malpractice system could have a major impact on health-care spending because one of the biggest cost drivers is “defensive medicine.” Doctors tend to prescribe more tests and medicines and specialist referrals than necessary, all in an effort to protect themselves against malpractice accusations in the event that something goes wrong.