I hear the same argument all the time, "We don't need a public option to control health care costs.  We just need to limit ambulance-chasing attorneys from filing so many medical malpractice claims!"   Like the joke goes, "First, we kill all the lawyers..."

Now supporters of Health Care reform will try to tell you that only 1% of total health care costs are due to malpractice claims.   But the Right will insist that all we need to do is stop all of these frivolous claims and all of us will benefit from lower insurance premiums

But here in Missouri, we have put this theory of tort reform & cost control into practice.   In 2005, then-Gov. Matt Blunt signed legislation that restricts medical injury lawsuits.    According to the Right, we should now have lower health care insurance rates.  Don't we?  After all, that's what was promised by the Republican-led state legislature when they passed the law.

Unfortunately we don't.   Even though at the end of 2008 there were ONLY 3,000 cases in Missouri pending against doctors, hospitals & other types of health care providers.  THAT IS THE LOWEST NUMBER ON RECORD IN THE LAST 30 YEARS.   The average cost of health insurance last year increased an average of 7.5%.   So in spite of the reform legislation which has led to an unprecidented low number of claims....costs are still increasing here in Missouri!   Somebody want to explain how this is supposed to work on a national level?  Especially since the increase in costs is still more than the average increase in wages for Missourians.

Now in fairness, the rate of increase has slowed.   Which gives credibility to the Right's assertion that malpractice claims are part of the problem...but it's obviously not the total solution.   It's also not the ONLY factor that has contributed to the slower growth in premiums.

Other factors that have influenced the slower rate of growth for Missourians include wellness programs, coordination of benefits and use of a network of health care professionals.   Some of the very same programs that have been touted by the Obama administration to control costs.    

One other major factor in controlling these costs is  controlling the cost of medical malpractice insurance for doctors.   These rates are so high that I know of one married couple, both doctors who work full time.   The wife's entire yearly income goes to pay for the insurance of both doctors.   Literally half of their combined income goes to pay for thier insurance. A reduction in overall claims have NOT decreased their malpractice premiums.   This is why more and more Missouri doctors are getting their malpractice insurance from nonprofit coalitions.  (Which is a kind of PUBLIC OPTION for doctors!)

One last thing to keep in mind.   Medical malpracticer insurers are bringing in the same amount in premiums, paying out less for claims and posting profits for the last 5 years.  Too bad we as consumers aren't seeing any relief!