Press Coverage of Common Good's Health Court Proposal
Coverage of Health Court Proposal:
Why Health Courts Could Pick Up Steam
Leslie Kane, Medical Economics, January 4, 2008
An editorial in Medical Economics discusses how health courts offer a promising solution to the medical liability problem. Though health courts provide benefits for consumers and physicians, legislation has been unable to move beyond the initial stages. Health courts offer real solutions to improving patient safety, error reporting, and catalyzing quality improvement measures - changes which would benefit every health care consumer. Common Good's Paul Barringer notes that public interest is growing through the organization's advocacy efforts.
Health Care Costs and Malpractice Reform
David Kendall, The American Interest, January 1, 2008
David Kendall's memorandum to the 2008 presidential candidates calls for dramatic reform to the current medical liability system. Kendall discusses the need for specialized health courts dedicated to resolving medical injury disputes in order to lower liability costs and create consistency. Such a system would motivate medical professionals to back more sweeping health care reforms for the insurance system.
Common Good Leading the Effort to Develop Special Models for Health Courts
Paul Barringer, AAP News, November 1, 2007
Paul Barringer of Common Good describes the potential benefits of a health court system. Health care improvements would include increased patient safety and the compensation of many medical injuries that fall through the cracks of the current system.
Letter to the Editor: Medical Justice
Edward Volpintesta, Stamford Advocate, October 31, 2007
At the Fairfield County Medical Association's annual meeting, Common Good's General Counsel, Paul Barringer, was the keynote speaker. The author describes how Common Good's health court proposal would improve nearly every aspect of the current malpractice system. "Legal hostilities would be minimized, individuals harmed by error would be compensated much more rapidly than they are now and significantly less money would be spent on legal costs. Patient safety would improve because doctors would feel free to discuss medical errors openly," he writes.
Top Doctor Drives State Agenda
Bruce Davis, Erie Times, October 27, 2007
The new President of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, Dr. Peter Lund, notes that Pennsylvania is having real trouble keeping newly minted doctors in state, and certain specialists are becoming scarce. Dr. Lund says, “The Medical Society is working on alternatives, which includes health courts, early mediation or arbitration..."
Health Court Benefits Discussed by Experts
Sharon Fain, Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, October 16, 2007
Over 100 health care providers, academics, attorneys, patient safety experts and policymakers met in Cheyenne, WY to discuss alternatives to the medical liability system. Common Good, in coordination with the Wyoming Healthcare Commission, hosted the event which focused on emphasizing patient safety in medical malpractice.
Enzi Propose Medical Courts, Insurance Pools
Mead Gruver, Jackson Hole Star-Tribune, September 16, 2007
Trying out medical courts is one of Senator Enzi's proposals for lowering health care costs and increasing health insurance coverage. Medical courts would not cap damage awards, but would instead see to it that awards go to helping deserving injured patients rather than lining their attorneys’ pockets.
Romney Wants Tax Breaks to Expand US Health Coverage
Washington Post, August 24, 2007
Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney announced his plans for the future of health care. In addition to expanding insurance coverage, Romney vowed to help curb the cost of medical liability insurance by establishing health courts to handle medical liability cases, which would lower costs and speed the claims process for patients.
Give Health Courts a Fair Shake
Mark Crane, The American, August 20, 2007
Health courts “might be the cure to alleviate the pain suffered by all sides in our present highly dysfunctional system,” advises Mike Crane of the American. The author writes that “too much compensation is awarded to some injured patients and little or none to others.” Health courts could provide the opportunity for faster and more just compensation for deserving patients
Coburn Calls for Privatizing Health Care
Kirby Lee Davis, The Journal Record, August 8, 2007
Senator Tom Coburn has introduced new legislation that would include the creation of health courts. Such a system would speed the claims process and ensure that more settlement dollars go into victims' pockets.
Don't Blame Victims for Problems with Malpractice
Newsday, July 24, 2007
The recent announcement of a 14% hike in malpractice insurance rates has people looking for answers. Health courts offer a comprehensive solution to a problem that is rooted in improving patient safety.
Health Courts Touted to Fix 'Broken' System
Mark A. Hoffman, Business Insurance, July 9, 2007
With the introduction of the recent Fair and Reliable Medical Justice Act, health courts are attracting more interest and have experts talking. “Ultimately I think that interest is driven by the fact that all the parties recognize the need for fundamental reform, and that there is a need to explore alternatives,” said Common Good’s General Counsel, Paul Barringer.
'Worst of Both Worlds' Hits Insurance
Elizabeth Solomont, New York Sun, July 3, 2007
Common Good's General Cousel Paul Barringer discusses how New York's 14 percent rate increase for malpractice insurance is symptomatic of a larger problem. "This is evidence of a system that needs work," Barringer said. New York Governor Spitzer has convened a task force to investigate the problem of malpractice insurance rates. "The medical malpractice insurance market has reached a crisis level," Spitzer said.
AMA Adopts Principles for Health Courts
AMA, PR Newswire, June 27, 2007
The American Medical Association is working to adopt and promote guidelines for state-sponsored health courts. "While we support medical liability reforms patterned after the successful California law...other proposals should be explored by states as well. Health courts are a promising reform proposal that merits more investigation," said AMA Board Member William Hazel. "The new AMA health court principles should assist state and local governments, insurers, hospitals, and other entities interested in exploring this option for medical liability reform," Hazel said.
Competition: A Prescription for Health Care Transformation
Tom Coburn, Joseph Antos and Grace-Marie Turner, Heritage Lectures, June 13, 2007
Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma endorsed health courts in a recent discussion with the Heritage Foundation. Coburn describes how health courts would offer a way for more claims to be heard in a more equitable, unbiased environment. Coburn discusses how the use of neutral expert witnesses would help clarify whether injuries could have been reasonably avoided.
In his yearly letter, the president of the American Medical Association, Dr. William Plested, writes, “We have thoroughly studied the concept of medical courts and are ready to support any state that is prepared to do a demonstration of this attractive alternative to the current tort system.”
What People are Saying About the Fair and Reliable Medical Justice Act
June 4, 2007
Press coverage of the introduction of the bipartisan Fair and Reliable Medical Justice Act introduced by Sens. Michael Enzi (R-WY) and Max Baucus (D-MT) in the Senate and Reps. Jim Cooper (D-TN) and Mac Thorberry (R-TX) in the House of Representatives.
That Malpractice 'Epidemic'?
Sandra G. Boodman, Washington Post, May 8, 2007
According to Philip G. Peters, Jr., turning cases over to specialized health courts would benefit injured patients.
Lawmaker Wants Special Courts for Malpractice Cases
Wheeler News Service, April 23, 2007
Wisconsin Assembly Republicans have unveiled their health care reform agenda, which includes “wellness program incentives, a health care court system, and tax deductions for insurance premiums and health savings accounts.” Rep. Robin Vos (R-Racine), hopes to introduce a bill in a couple weeks that would put health care lawsuits, including medical malpractice cases, into its own court system.
Bill Bradley Endorses Health Courts
The New American Story, March 2007
In The New American Story, former senator and presidential candidate Bill Bradley endorses Common Good's proposal for health courts.
The Doctor Is In -- For Now
Cathleen F. Crowley, Times Union, February 3, 2007
The Times Union reports that creating specialized health courts is one of the medical liability reforms being lobbied for this year by the Medical Society of the State of New York.
Special Courts for Health Issues
Cindy Wagner, The Futurist, November/December 2006
The Futurist magazine details how "[t]he case for specialized health courts is receiving new support in the United States as an innovative solution for increasingly complex medical liability lawsuits and other health-related cases.
Candidates Pay a House Call to Doctors Group
John Wagner, Washington Post, October 1, 2006
Speaking before the state’s largest doctors group, and on behalf of the gubernatorial campaign of Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley, lieutenant governor hopeful, Anthony G. Brown, recently stated that “Maryland should establish special courts for medical issues.”
Another Way on MedMal?
Mary Agnes Carey, CQ HealthBeat, July 13, 2006
Witnesses at a recent hearing held before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce “said the current medical malpractice system helps few of the patients it is intended to serve, does little to encourage providers to disclose medical errors and has created an environment of ‘defensive medicine’ where physicians and other health care providers order extra tests and procedures, which in turn drive up health care costs,” reports Congressional Quarterly’s HealthBeat.
Beyond Medical tort Caps
Laura Gilcrest, UPI, July 13, 2006
Reporting on the hearing before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce on proposed reforms to our medical malpractice system, Laura Gilcrest of United Press International notes that “lawmakers agreed Thursday [July 13th] that the status quo isn’t working and the ultimate losers are the patients.”
Hospitals Press for Solutions to Rising Liability Costs
Lucy Ament, AHA News Now , July 10, 2006
AHA News reports that the “Reliable Medical Justice Act” (S. 1337), sponsored by Senators Enzi (R-WY) and Baucus (D-MT), which could lead to funding of health court pilot projects, incorporates a number of concepts being explored by the American Hospital Association’s Task Force on Liability Reform.
Analysis: See You in Health Court?
Olga Pierce, UPI, July 7, 2006
In keeping with the creation of specialized courts to handle other types of complicated disputes, such as bankruptcy and labor disputes, “a growing chorus of voices is calling for the establishment of a health court with jurisdiction over medical malpractice cases,” reports United Press International.
Beyond Medical tort Caps
Laura Gilcrest, UPI, July 13, 2006
Reporting on the hearing before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce on proposed reforms to our medical malpractice system, Laura Gilcrest of United Press International notes that “lawmakers agreed Thursday [July 13th] that the status quo isn’t working and the ultimate losers are the patients.”
It's Time for Special Health Courts in New York
Richard M. Peer, The Buffalo News, June 26, 2006
In an opinion piece in The Buffalo News, Dr. Richard M. Peer, president of the Medical Society of the State of New York, writes that “[i]t's time to give health courts a chance” because “[t]he current medical justice system is not working for doctors or for patients.”
Trial Lawyer's Inc. is an Economic Disease
Deroy Murdock, National Review Online, May 30, 2006
In his National Review column, contributing editor Deroy Murdock recommends Common Good’s proposal for special health courts as a solution to the ills of the current medical malpractice system, which drives up health care costs and restricts access to care.
Deeply Flawed
Editorial, The Patriot News, May 19, 2006
Calling the current tort system “one great big roulette wheel that does a far less than acceptable job of compensating those truly harmed by improper treatment,” The Patriot News recommends creating a special medical courts to handle medical injury cases.
Whither Malpractice Reform?
PPI Health Policy Wire Vol 4 No 9, May 11, 2006
In a recent PPI Health Policy Wire, the Progressive Policy Institute calls for health courts as a solution to our broken medical justice system. “Civil courts are not appropriate for malpractice cases." Instead, health courts "would be able to distinguish real cases from bogus ones and process claims expeditiously.”
Michigan Needs Special Health Courts
Edward A. Loniewski, DO, Michigan Forward, May 2006
In a piece for the Michigan Forward, Edward A. Loniewski, DO, past president of the American Osteopathic Association and the Michigan Osteopathic Association, argues that “Michigan needs special health courts” to remedy the flaws of the current medical justice system.
Liability Insurance Crisis Remains Key Challenge
Ron Paglia, Western Pennsylvania Hospital News, April 2006
At a symposium sponsored by the Society for the Education of Physicians and Patients (SEPP), Dr. Jitrenda Desai, the immediate past president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, called for special health courts as a solution to the medical liability crisis in Pennsylvania.
Special Health Courts Could Heal State's Liability Costs
Alan M. Mindlin, M.D., The Detroit News, March 2, 2006
In an opinion piece for The Detroit News, Dr. Alan M. Mindlin, president of the Michigan State Medical Society, touts Common Good’s proposal for special health courts as “an intelligent proposal that is just the prescription we need to cure the medical liability crisis.”
Washington State Looking Towards Health Courts
"States tackle issue from all angles" and "Losing the patient"
Brad Shannon; Nina Shapiro, The Olympain; Seattle Weekly, March 1, 2006
After the recent failure of two malpractice reform initiatives, one supported by lawyers and the other by doctors, and despite a compromise malpractice bill recently brokered by the state’s governor, Christine Gregoire, Washingtonians are increasingly looking towards health courts as a more complete solution to the state’s broken medical malpractice system – one that will benefit both providers and patients alike.
ABA Rejection of Special Health Courts Sparks Clash
Lenard Post, The National Law Journal, February 27, 2006
In a piece for the National Law Journal, Paul Barringer of Common Good and David Studdert of Harvard University comment on the ABA’s decision to oppose health court pilot projects.
Trial Lawyers Make America Sick
Deroy Murdock, Scripps Howard News Service, February 25, 2006
In a recent column, commentator Deroy Murdock highlights Common Good’s proposal for special health courts as one solution to the nation’s medical malpractice woes.
Legislators Seek Surgery on Malpractice Laws
Tamela Baker, Herald Mail, February 19, 2006
Legislation calling for the state judiciary to study special health courts has been introduced in the Maryland House of Delegates. Delegate Christopher B. Shank, who proposed the bill, said that “having specialty courts for medical malpractice would speed up the process for both plaintiffs and defendants and ‘take the inequalities out of the process’ for all parties.”
Doctors Lobby for Health Care
Blair Goldstein, The News Advance, February 16, 2006
The Virginia House of Delegates recently passed “[a] resolution calling for a study of the feasibility of medical courts” by a vote of 78 to 20. The Medical Society of Virginia supports the measure.
A State Health Court Would be in Order
Robert A. O’Leary and Richard T. Moore, The Boston Herald, February 15, 2006
In a recent opinion piece for the Boston Herald, Massachusetts State Senators Richard T. Moore and Robert A. O’Leary “advocat[e] the creation of a health court system that would benefit patients and doctors alike.” “In the coming months,” they write, “we will be submitting legislation to implement a pilot project at some area hospitals to help determine the feasibility of a health court. With our medical malpractice environment near crisis, we must look beyond incremental reform to the current system to a more promising alternative.”
Code Blue: The Case for Serious State Medical Liability Reform
Randolph W. Pate and Derek Hunter, The Heritage Foundation, January 17, 2006
A new report by the Heritage Foundation declares health courts an “innovative solution” to our current broken tort system that would “enhance consumers’ rights while increasing access to quality and affordable medical care.” As the report relates, “[m]edically trained judges will be better able to wade through difficult evidence to get to the real facts,” and their opinions become “part of a consistently applied body of law to which physicians can look with more certainty.”
A 'Lose-Lose' System of Care
Bill McKelway, Richmond Times-Dispatch, December 31, 2005
In a news analysis, in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Bill McKelway discusses the flaws in the “malpractice minefield.” McKelway quotes Common Good Chair Philip K. Howard’s description of the malpractice system’s failures: “While litigation affects doctors, hospitals and the cost of care, it fails miserably in justly compensating patients.” Endorsing Common Good’s proposals for health courts and a national compensation system, he notes that such a system will bring uniformity and adjustments concerning “noneconomic factors.” Health courts, he argues, would leave trial lawyers “less inclined to seek out only those cases that hold the most potential for emotionally charged jury awards.”
Health Care Cases Need Special Courts
Eric Novack, M.D., The Arizona Republic, December 31, 2005
An op-ed in The Arizona Republic recommends special health courts as an improvement over Arizona’s current medical liability system. Dr. Eric Novack, the op-ed’s author, argues that the state’s current system is “arbitrary” and “does not give injured patients prompt or consistent compensation.” Health courts, he relates, would “deter substandard care” but “not deter care from being delivered.” Health courts, moreover, would serve to improve the quality of care by “[establishing] a baseline of quality medical care that would only improve over time.”
Shift! Accessibility Crisis on the Horizon in Healthcare
Kathy Ruff, Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal, December 29, 2005
An article in the Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal cites the flaws of our current system of medical justice as one reason many are claiming that our healthcare system is on the verge of “collapse.” The article notes that health courts are an alternative model that could “reduce administrative paperwork, enhance patient care and encourage young doctors to locate and stay in Pennsylvania."
Scapel, Scissor, Lawyer
The Economist, December 14, 2005
In a recent article, The Economist recommends Common Good’s proposal for special health courts as a solution to the deficiencies of our current system of medical justice. Upon detailing the problems of our current system, they write, “A more sensible idea would be specialist medical courts, as proposed by Philip Howard of Common Good …. The idea is partly modelled on the specialist courts that deal with other complex technical issues” and “ought to make the system less capricious.”
Thinking Outside the Jury Box: Another Tort Reform Answer
Mike Norbut, American Medical News, November 14, 2005
A recent article in American Medical News, an AMA publication, confirms that the idea of health courts as “a solution to today's much-maligned medical liability system” is “gaining traction in Congress.” "The idea,” they write, “is to design an efficient, consistent system with decisions based on scientific evidence rather than emotion.”
Malpractice: A Medical Crisis
Dr. William W. Lander, Tribune-Democrat, October 14, 2005
An editorial in the Tribune Democrat by Dr. William W. Lander, president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, endorses Common Good’s proposal to create special health courts as “one of the most promising solutions” to the failures of our current unreliable medical justice system.
Junking Judicial Malpractice
Steve Forbes, Forbes Magazine, September 29, 2005
In the September issue of Forbes Magazine, Steve Forbes endorsed the creation of special health courts. Relating his support for the bipartisan Fair and Reliable Medical Justice Act proposed by Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Max Baucus (D-MT), Forbes called health courts an "effective, lasting approach to fairness."
Specialized Medical Courts Should Try Complex Cases
Editorial, Washington Examiner, September 9, 2005
An editorial in the Washington Examiner endorses the bipartisan proposal to establish special health courts as a way of bringing back fairness and reliability to the medical justice system. The article explains the confusion that can arise when juries with no medical background are asked to make decisions based on complex scientific evidence.
States’ Role on the Healthcare Stage
The New American, September 5, 2005
This cover story, entitled States’ Role on the Healthcare Stage, describes Common Good’s health courts proposal and cites the proposal’s ability to “discourage frivolous lawsuits.”
Editorial
Trustee Magazine, September 2005
This editorial in Trustee Magazine discusses the growing support for health courts in numerous states throughout the country.
Medical Courts
Betsy McCaughey, The Wall Street Journal, August 24, 2005
A Wall Street Journal editorial by Betsy McCaughey, the former Lt. Governor of New York and chairman of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths, endorses the creation of special health courts.
Malpractice Fix
Kristin Eliasberg, Boston Globe, August 21, 2005
In an in-depth article, the Boston Globe calls attention to Common Good's proposal to create special health courts to restore reliability to the medical justice system. The article commends Common Good for its work with the Harvard School of Public Health to promote serious national debate on the issue.
Special Courts for Medical Lawsuits Could Ease the Malpractice Crisis
Dan F. Kopen, The Citizen’s Voice, August 8, 2005
In his opinion piece, Doctor Dan F. Kopen recommends a “paradigm shift” in the tort system.
Malpractice Courts Eyed by Doctors
Bill McKelway, Richmond Times-Dispatch, July 23, 2005
Richmond Times Dispatch journalist Bill McKelway evaluates the newly introduced Fair and Reliable Medical Justice Act.
Health Courts Are Worth a Try
Editorial, The Star Ledger, July 18, 2005
An editorial in NJ's The Star-Ledger supports the establishment of special health courts as a means of combating the current crisis in medical tort legislation.
Tort Reform
Editorial, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, July 10, 2005
In an editorial, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel endorses the Fair and Reliable Medical Justice Act, a bill which would fund the creation of pilot health courts in multiple states.
Health Courts Offer Cure
Editorial, USA Today, July 4, 2005
An editorial in USA Today endorses the idea of special health courts and makes the case for restoring fairness and reliability to the medical justice system. Showing their support for the Fair and Reliable Medical Justice Act recently introduced by Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Max Baucus (D-MT), the piece highlights the crisis in medical tort litigation and argues that health courts would provide an effective alternative to the current system.
Bipartisan Legislation to Create Special Health Courts Is Introduced in U.S. Senate
Common Good Press Release, June 30, 2005
Senators Michael Enzi (R-WY) and Max Baucus (D-MT) have introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate to create special health courts on a pilot project basis. The bill is backed by a broad coalition of patient advocates and providers and responds to the Institute of Medicine's call for the development of alternatives to current medical tort litigation.
‘Health Courts’ Touted as Malpractice Claim Option
Mark Hoffman, Business Insurance, June 13, 2005
This article summarizes the basic elements of a health court system proposed in the Medical Liability Procedural Reform Act of 2005.
Health Courts Could Solve Malpractice
Andrew Dampstedt, The Washington Times, June 9, 2005
An article in The Washington Times reports that health courts may be “an effective approach to solve the problem of how best to reform medical-malpractice litigation.”
Health Court Creation Gains Diverse Support
Adriel Bettelheim, CQ Weekly, May 9, 2005
Widespread support for health courts is building throughout Congress, according to a CQ Weekly article.
Health Courts Debated as Tort Alternative
Phil Turner, United Press International, May 5, 2005
Coverage of "Health Courts: Exploring the Concept," a forum co-hosted by Common Good, the AEI-Brookings Joint Center for Regulatory Studies, and the Harvard School of Public Health.
Daniel Henninger, Nightly Business Report (WPBT-TV Miami), April 28, 2005
Daniel Henninger, Deputy Editor of the Wall Street Journal editorial page, joins other prominent media figures in endorsing special health courts.
Thornberry Bill Touts Health Courts
Greg Cunningham, Amarillo Globe-News, April 14, 2005
The Amarillo Globe-News reports that Representative Mac Thornberry (R-TX) has introduced a bill that would initiate the development of pilot health courts.
Thornberry Introduces Legislation to Create Special Health Courts
April 12, 2005
Representative Mac Thornberry of Texas has introduced legislation in the House that would authorize funding for states to create special health courts on a pilot project basis.
Radical Surgery Is Urged for Medical Malpractice
Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Los Angeles Times, April 5, 2005
The Los Angeles Times reports that "a growing number of healthcare organizations, patient advocacy groups and others" are calling for "fundamental change" to the current system of medical justice.
Medical Liability Problems Reaching Crisis Level
Dave Levitan, Orthopedics Today, April 1 2005
Orthopedics Today discusses Common Good’s health court initiative.
Health Courts Could Restore ‘Medical Justice’
Paul Barringer, National Medical Association News, Spring 2005
Common Good general counsel Paul Barringer discusses the inconsistency of juries in medical malpractice trials, and the inability of the current system to adequately compensate patients.
New Health Courts Would Aid Injured
Gregory D. Pawelski, Lebanon Daily News, March 30, 2005
A letter to the editor of the Lebanon Daily News recommends Common Good’s proposal for special health courts as a solution to the problems with our current medical justice system.
The Doctor's Court? Debate between Philip K. Howard and Stephanie Mencimer
Debate Club, March 14, 2005
In this online debate, Common Good founder and chair Philip K. Howard argues for the benefits of health courts. Stephanie Mencimer, a contributing editor of The Washington Monthly, voices her concerns about Howard’s system.
The Changing Face of Medical Liability
Therese Droste, State Health Notes, March 7, 2005
"Could caps on damages become passe?" That's the question posed in this cover story featuring Common Good's proposal to create special health courts.
Multiple Strategies Can Control Malpractice
Thomas D. Kaminski, M.D. Diagnostic Imaging, March 1, 2005
Thomas D. Kaminski advocates the creation of health courts, calling them “real and lasting reform” for the medical justice system.
Health Court Radio Tour
March 2005
The Malpractice Mess
Editorial, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 28, 2005
An editorial in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch calls for massive reform in the tort system, which has proven incapable of hindering medical errors or compensating patients in an adequate and timely manner.
And Now, Yet another Solution to Spate of Malpractice Suits
Amy Reeves, Investor’s Business Daily, February 22, 2005
In this interview with Investor’s Business Daily, Common Good founder and chair Philip K. Howard discusses the specific elements of Common Good’s proposal for special health courts, and the plan for implementation of such a system.
Courts Could Ease US Malpractice Crisis, Group Says
Jeanne Lenzer, BMJ.com (British Medical Journal), February 17, 2005
This article discusses the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s grant to Common Good and the Harvard School of Public Health to develop and promote a model for special health courts, courts devoted exclusively to resolving medical injury cases.
Progressive Policy Institute Endorses Special Health Courts
February 17, 2005
A new policy report from the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), co-authored by PPI Senior Fellow David Kendall and Common Good Senior Advisor Nancy Udell, calls for "a new network of specialized health courts that would replace America's broken justice system."
Expert Roundtable Convened by JCAHO Calls for a New System of Medical Justice
February 10, 2005
An expert roundtable convened by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) is calling for exploration of alternatives to the current medical liability system. The roundtable included Common Good chair Philip K. Howard.
States Mull ‘Med-Mal’ Courts
Lindsay Fortado, Massachusetts Law Tribune, February 10, 2005
The article describes the growing trend of states turning toward health courts as an alternative to the current tort system for medical injury disputes.
More than Eighty of the Nation's Most Prominent Leaders in Healthcare and Law Endorse the Creation of Special Health Courts
Common Good Press Release, February 7, 2005
Common Good has announced that more than 80 of the nation's most prominent leaders in healthcare and law have endorsed the creation of special health courts as a way of restoring reliability to medical justice.
Opening Argument: Better Justice
Stuart Taylor, Jr., The National Journal, January 29, 2005
Nationally syndicated columnist Stuart Taylor, Jr., writing in the January 29th issue of The National Journal, endorses Common Good's proposal for special health courts.
Burning Questions
Carol Ann Campbell, The Star-Ledger, January 19, 2005
In this interview, Common Good Chair Philip K. Howard discusses the implications of health courts for health care.
Malpractice Mythology
Editorial, The New York Times, January 9, 2005
The New York Times calls on Congress to launch a "wide range of demonstration projects," including special health courts, to solve the problem of unreliable medical justice.
Dispelling Malpractice Myths
William R. Brody, The Washington Post, November 14, 2004
William R. Brody, president of Johns Hopkins University and a Common Good Advisory Board member, calls for "comprehensive reform of the medical justice system."
Save Health Care in Wayne County by Saving Doctors
Editorial, The Detroit News, October 28, 2004
The Detroit News endorses Common Good's proposal to create special health courts.
Expert Medical Courts: An Idea Whose Time has Come
Charles J. Lockwood, MD, Contemporary OB/GYN, September 1, 2004
Dr. Charles Lockwood, Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Yale University School of Medicine, endorses Common Good's proposal to create special health courts and calls on doctors to "rally behind [the proposal] by joining and supporting Common Good."
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist Calls for the Creation of a Special Health Court
July 19, 2004
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist calls for the creation of special health courts.
Op-eds by Common Good:
End the Blame and Shame Game
Paul Barringer and Edward Dauer, Modern Healthcare, May 21, 2007
In a recent Modern Healthcare opinion piece, Common Good General Counsel Paul Barringer and Common Good Colorado President Ed Dauer discuss how the current medical liability system undermines patient safety.
Dedicated Health Courts Can End Malpractice Crisis
Philip K. Howard, Washington Examiner, May 11, 2007
The Washington Examiner featured an op-ed on health courts by Common Good Chair Philip K. Howard that originally ran in the Wall Street Journal.
Health Courts - Promoting Reliable Medical Justice
Paul J. Barringer, III and Sarah Samis, Health Insurance Underwriter, October 2006
Common Good makes the case that health courts are the right prescription for America’s ailing medical liability system.
America Needs A New System of Medical Justice
Philip K. Howard, Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons, May 2006
Common Good Chair Philip K. Howard relates that “[r]estoring reliability to health care justice … requires questioning the one assumption that, until recently, no one dared even discuss: the role of the jury.”
Juryless Health Courts Could Stabilize 'Crisis'
Philip K. Howard, The Wall Street Journal, February 28, 2006
In a letter to The Wall Street Journal, Common Good Chair Philip K. Howard questions whether the ABA’s recent resolution opposing health court pilot projects stems from the financial interest trial lawyers have in maintaining our current, broken system of medical justice.
Health Courts: A Better Approach to Malpractice Reform
Paul Barringer, BNA Health Law Reporter, June 23, 2005
Why do we need special health courts? How would health courts work? How can health courts become a reality? Common Good General Counsel Paul Barringer answers these questions in the BNA Health Law Reporter.
Let's Create Health Courts
Paul Barringer, The National Law Journal, May 2, 2005
In a special to The National Law Journal, Common Good general counsel Paul Barringer lays out the argument for special health courts and discusses the growing support from healthcare and patient safety experts and from politcal leaders on both sides of the aisle.
A Case for Medical Justice
Philip K. Howard, The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 16, 2004
Common Good chair Philip K. Howard argues that to ensure consistency in awards, malpractice suits should be reserved for judges with special training.
Heal the Law, Then Health Care
Troyen A. Brennan and Philip K. Howard, The Washington Post, January 25, 2004
Common Good chair Philip K. Howard and Troyen A. Brennan, a patient-safety expert with the Harvard School of Public Health, argue that "a new system of medical justice is needed, including a special health court or administrative compensation scheme that could deliver deliberate, binding rulings on standards of care."
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