The need for medical tort reform

Healthcare costs need to be controlled.  Medical liability is a major cost to the system.  Healthcare providers often order unnecessary tests to avoid being sued.  This  is called defensive medicine.  A recent study estimates the cost of defensive medicine to be 46 billion dollars/year.  The one solution that will help to bring down those costs, bring more physicians to Hawaii without costing the taxpayers money is medical liability reform.  This would make awards for malpractice paid out over the life of the person without a one time multi-million dollar payment.  The person responsible for the mistake would be liable rather than the deepest pockets.  Limits on pain and suffering awards would also be important.  Lawyers would also be limited in the amount of the award that they take home which can average 54%, leaving more money for the injured person.  This has worked in Texas and Mississippi.