A simple way to reduce medical costs

There is an old saying, “Keep it simple stupid.” The health care plans being developed, along with most everything Congress has done in recent years, are not simple.

If the goal is to reduce medical cost so that most people can afford insurance and medical care, the simplest thing is to reduce the 25 percent of all medical tests that are performed as a hedge against malpractice suites. Tort reform that allows adequate compensation of victims while limiting excessive judgments and attorney fees is an easy way to reduce medical expenses.

It appears that keeping the trial lawyers in business is more important than getting everyone health care without raising taxes. Why won't Congress acknowledge, let alone consider, the supposed “party of No's” tort reform proposal, which requires no additional funding?

Unable to read that question to Congressman Loebsack at a town hall event, I spoke with several supporters of the plan he voted for. They thought that tort reform meant letting incompetent doctors continue practicing medicine (oversight is the job of licensers).

When considering the financial savings of tort reform, they considered only the high cost of malpractice insurance, not the enormous cost of tests that are conducted to defend against potential litigation.

These people carry signs that say “Facts not fear” but they are not afraid because they believe the talking points and do not dig for the facts.

My fear is based on facts.

Robbin Rekemeyer

Cedar Rapids