In the full entry, I've posted a video that tells the story of Lauren Lollini of Denver, Colorado, one of the 98,000 Americans impacted by medical negligence every year.
Lauren went to a Denver hospital for kidney stone surgery in February of 2009. Six weeks later, Lollini’s health began to deteriorate with feelings of exhaustion and a loss of appetite. After a week of her illness, she became jaundiced and had an inflamed liver. The doctors at an urgent care clinic diagnosed her with hepatitis C. Thirty-five other patients became infected with Hepatitis C at the hospital. A state investigation revealed that the outbreak began with a hospital staff person who had used hospital syringes and painkillers for drug use. Her case is pending.
Because of "tort reform" it's become harder and harder for people like Lauren to get justice in the courts. Now thanks to Blue Dogs like Bart Gordon are trying to sneak "tort reform" into the health care reform package.
Disclaimer: I'm proud to be working with the American Association for Justice.
98000reasons.org: Lauren Lollini from American Association for Justice on Vimeo.
As Anthony Tarricone, President of the American Association for Justice wrote:
As the House passed a sweeping health care overhaul this weekend, opponents of true reform pulled out all the stops. Saturday evening, the civil justice system and injured patients were brutally attacked, but ultimately, facts prevailed over the countless lies and distortions that were on display.
Throughout the entire debate, those wanting to kill health care decided that disparaging trial attorneys was the avenue to derail the bill. These same people seem to have forgotten that this bill is about patients, not trial attorneys or bargaining away people’s legal rights. But of course, health care reform opponents were intent on creating distractions and sideshows.
The facts have been clear for quite some time: tort law changes will do practically nothing to lower costs or cover the uninsured. It will only limit the rights of patients injured through no fault of their own. Since health care reform opponents refused to discuss what "tort reform" means for patients, we will.
It is imperative that lawmakers understand that tort law changes will not fix America’s broken health care system, and only hurts families like the Foughts from getting justice. Health care reform must improve patient safety, not limit people’s legal rights. With 98,000 unnecessary deaths every year, there’s just too much at stake.