[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
[July 28, 2005]
[Pages 1280-1281]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on House of Representatives Passage of Medical Liability 
Reform Legislation
July 28, 2005

    I am pleased that the House of Representatives has again passed 
medical liability reform legislation. The Nation's medical liability 
system is badly broken, as frivolous

[[Page 1281]]

lawsuits are threatening access to quality health care and raising 
health care costs for all Americans. The medical liability crisis is 
driving up health care costs through higher insurance premiums, higher 
medical bills, and the practice of defensive medicine. This crisis also 
is imposing substantial costs on the Federal Government and all 
taxpayers who bear the cost of Medicare and Medicaid. The liability 
crisis is driving good doctors out of medicine and leaving patients in 
many communities without access to both basic and specialty medical 
services. This is a national problem that deserves a national solution. 
For the sake of all Americans, it is time for the Senate to pass 
meaningful medical liability reform legislation.