[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 30 (Monday, August 1, 2005)]
[Page 1227]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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.