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HealthIssues Daily Briefing, August 3, 2004
California Malpractice Law Examined

This week the Los Angeles Times examined the effects of a 1975
California law that put a $250,000 cap on non-economic damages in
medical malpractice lawsuits. The Times reported that many lawyers are
turning away malpractice cases because the legal costs outweigh the
awards received. The law is credited with keeping medical malpractice
insurance rate increases low in California, but the cap has not been
adjusted for inflation over time. Health insurers have said there has
been no reduction in the number of malpractice suits since the cap
went into effect.

State Sen. Tom Torlakson (D) has said he is drafting legislation that
would increase the cap to $900,000. Torlakson said that the current
cap "is outdated by over a quarter of a century." He added, "It's not
only unfair, but it doesn't provide the level of deterrence or
accountability that I think should be there."
http://bcbshealthissues.com/proactive/newsroom/release.vtml?id=124190

OTHER HEALTH POLICY NEWS

Demand for Colonoscopies Creates Long Waiting Lists
The Boston Globe reported this week that overwhelming patient demand
for colonoscopies has "strained the healthcare system, producing long
waits and prompting some hospitals to bring patients in on weekends."
The Globe said the problem illustrates the fact that hospitals cannot
serve the large numbers of patients who call for appointments after
healthcare experts recommend certain tests or treatments.
http://bcbshealthissues.com/proactive/newsroom/release.vtml?id=124191
Medicare Spending Adds to Record High Budget Deficit
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a report last week
that projected the federal budget deficit for fiscal year 2004 at
about $445 billion, which includes increased Medicare spending.
(Washington Post) According to the Post, the projected budget deficit
is the "highest ever."
http://bcbshealthissues.com/proactive/newsroom/release.vtml?id=124181
For more news and information from the National Journal and news
services across the country, visit the BCBSHealthIssues.com News
section at http://bcbshealthissues.com/news/

NEW REPORTS IN HEALTH POLICY NEWS

Study Discusses Top Performing Hospitals
The Commonwealth Fund
The Commonwealth Fund recently published a study on its Web site
entitled "Hospital Quality: Ingredients for Success" by the Economic
and Social Research Institute. The study presents a list of hospitals
that are considered top performers in patient care and safety. The
authors also discuss why the facilities are models for best practices
and list specific activities that other hospitals can do to emulate
them.
http://www.cmwf.org/programs/quality/meyer_hospitalquality_761.asp
For more reports and opinions on health policy issues, visit the
BCBSHealthIssues.com Perspectives page at
http://bcbshealthissues.com/perspectives/

HEALTH POLICY EVENTS FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 2, 2004

August 3, 2004
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Covering Kids and Families Program
News conference to release two studies examining the frequency with
which children without health insurance lack basic healthcare
services.

National Academies' Institute of Medicine
Meeting of the Committee on Redesigning Health Insurance Benefits,
Payment and Performance Improvement Programs, August 3-4.
August 4, 2004
Alliance for Health Reform
News briefing, "Healthcare as a Campaign Issue: Ready to Rally?"

National Academies' Institute of Medicine
Meeting of the Committee on Redesigning Health Insurance Benefits,
Payment and Performance Improvement Programs, August 3-4.
For a full listing of health events for the week ahead, visit the
BCBSHealthIssues.com calendar page at
http://bcbshealthissues.com/calendar