These are classic discussions published back in June 2006
Medical Malpractice — Defensive Medicine
Clark Newhall sent me a letter and a copy of The Medical Malpractice Myth. Thanks. I’m enjoying the read. But, I think you miss my point.
I believe that medical malpractice occurs. Of course it does. Medicine is a human endeavor — susceptible to human mistakes.
I believe that people subjected to medical malpractice should be compensated.
But I don’t believe that lawyers should be unjustly enriched at the expense of medical malpractice victims. Nor do I believe that medical decisions should be driven by litigation concerns; instead, they should be driven by what is best for patients. To that end, I have a few questions:
1. Why do medical malpractice attorneys take such a big chunk of the money that is intended to compensate medical malpractice victims?
If the justification for taking a third or more of the victim’s money is that the legal work is so darn tough and unpredictable, then let’s simplify the process... (read more)
Welcome Home 222nd!
The Triple Deuce has returned home from Iraq! We are so pleased, and we are honored by their service.
C’mon, Get Happy
Three things to be happy about:
Wikipedia
Pandora
Havaianas.
UPDATE (6/22/06): Here is a New York Times article on Wikipedia. Of course, some of the Wikipedia entries won’t be perfect. But most that I’ve referenced have been superb. And considering that Encyclopedias used to cost thousands of dollars (and become outdated quickly), Wikipedia is miraculous.
As for Havaianas, let’s see what Wikipedia has to say on the subject. 2 billion pairs! That would circle the globe 50 times.
A Response to “Medicaid — Tort Reform”
I argued here that litigation costs and concerns are squandering some of our Medicaid monies. Charlie Thronson disagrees. He writes:
I agree with you that it never hurts to review the current system in anygovernment program, but I don’t agree that the current Medicaid costs,cutbacks or funding problems can be laid at the feet of those people whoare injured or killed as a result of substandard medical care.
The Institutes of Medicine (hardly a “trial lawyers” group) haveestimated that preventable medical errors kill between 40,000 and 90,000Americans each year, making medical errors the 7th leading cause ofdeath in the United States. Hundreds of thousands of other people whoare not killed outright are injured, many very seriously. Utah has somepart in those alarming statistics.
The usual whipping boy for alleged “litigation-driven” medical costs iswhat is called “defensive medicine.” In my experience, “defensivemedicine” is in the eyes of the beholder: Take the case of 4-year old[Jane]. Her mother pled... (read more)
Best Heavyweight Ever
Muhammad Ali. Between 1964-1967, not only unbeatable. Untouchable.
Stop the Presses!
The Trib’s editorial board has grappled with the complexities of Medicaid and figured out a solution:
The Legislature can still redeem itself by creating a program that provides the most care for the most people at the least cost, without expecting doctors and dentists to either absorb the cost or pass it on to their paying customers, and without whining that it’s all the federal government’s fault.
Most care, most people, least cost, adequate pay for doctors, ignore federal funding. Brilliant! The committee members will want to know about this.
UPDATE (minutes later): For a more informative take on the topic, here is the D-News editorial.
Everyone Is a Winner
A Virginia high school had 41 valedictorians. The other students, presumably, were salutatorians: except for one guy. So that the valedictorians and salutatorians could feel better about their titles, they designated that guy Class Bonehead.
My brother worked hard to be valedictorian of our high school, and would have been but for a “B” in drivers ed. Life is competitive. Some can parallel park, and some can’t.
Beelzebub Blues