I just heard the president of the AMA speak today, at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. Donald Palmisano, MD, JD, talked about "Medicine at the edge of the abyss." It was about medical liability reform, and other things.
Since there have been discussions in the diaries about this topic, I thought I'd let y'all know what he said.
First, he is a meandering speaker, using examples and stories to make his point, especially old Charity hospital stories. He has travelled the country, and world, talking to doctors and patients about medicine.
Basically, the AMA would like to get the states to enact reforms that mirror the California model, or MIRCA. MIRCA's provisions include a $250,000 cap on non-economic awards; informing juries if plaintiffs have other sources of compensation for their injuries; banning lump sum payments for awards over $50,000; a three-year statute of limitations for claims; and limits on lawyer's fees. Found here. He did give kudos to the Louisiana and Indiana liability systems, as well. Currently there are 18 or so states that the AMA considers "in crisis."
He also talked about patient safety, medical error reporting, and the Medicare bill. Specifically, he lauded bill HR5 (and its companion, S11) To improve patient access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system. And he also mentioned HR663/S720, To amend title IX of the Public Health Service Act to provide for the improvement of patient safety and to reduce the incidence of events that adversely affect patient safety, and for other purposes.
In both cases he talked up President Bush's support for the legislation, and Senator (Doctor) Frist's attempts to push it through multiple times. He mentioned Harry Reid's attempts (D-Whip) to derail unanimous consent on S720 (both bills passed overwhelmingly in the House.)
It is clear that the president of the AMA is a republican, and it is clear that the AMA supports the Republican president (implicitly.) It is also clear that, for the forseeable future, the Democratic party will get the "trial lawyer" vote, and the Republican party will get the "MD" vote.
But I can't fault the guy for his speech. It was right on. The AMA doesn't simply blame lawyers for the medical liability crisis; it is much more complicated than that. The AMA, after all, is simply another PAC/lobbyist, and they are looking out for their constituents. I was mighty pissed when they supported the Medicare bill (I'm a member), but it included a very important provision on increase Medicare reimbursement rates for 2004.
The AMA's position paper on this issue is called "Medical Liability Reform-NOW!" Read it if you like. Last link is PDF.