Abipartisan coalition is urging the government to initiate hearings on the effects of litigation on health care.
Common Good, a New York-based initiative to overhaul what it calls "America's lawsuit culture," is sponsoring an online petition drive to sway legislators to create a new system of medical justice. "Fear of litigation has undermined our freedom to make sensible decisions," the organization states on its Web site. "Doctors, teachers, ministers, even Little League coaches, find their daily decisions hampered by legal fear."
The organization wants judges and legislatures to draw the line on who can sue for what. "Society needs red lights and green lights," the organization states on its Web site. "Today, because anyone can sue for almost anything, Americans creep through the day, fearful of being blindsided."
Petition signers include medical school deans; medical association heads (such as AAFP President James Martin, M.D., of San Antonio); college presidents; and other community and organization leaders.
To read more about the group's efforts and, if you wish, sign the petition, go to http://www.aafp.org/x21384.xml and click on "The Common Good -- Reforming America's Lawsuit Culture." Under "Healthcare Leaders Petition Congress to Restore Reliability to Our Legal System," click on "Read the petition" and "Add your name to the petition."
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