In his address to Congress last night, President Obama touched on medical liability reform. I wish he had devoted more time and attention to this issue. Clearly it is an important concern of not only physicians but, as a new poll conducted by the Clarus Research Group and commissioned by Common Good and the Committee for Economic Development has found, “83% of American voters want Congress to address medical liability reform as part of any health care reform package – and 67% support the creation of special health courts.”

“The American people want the system of medical justice to change,” states Common Good Chair Philip K. Howard in a press release announcing the poll’s results.  “They are saying it in very large numbers, and they want it to change as part of health care reform.”

I find the results of this poll very promising as I’m doubtful that we can control healthcare costs in a meaningful way without comprehensive reform of our medical liability system.

Filed under: Health Policy