| Throughout the nation, our healthcare system is | | | | are clinics in the United States that are turning |
| struggling under the weight of lawsuits and | | | | away lower income patients, choosing to see only |
| miscellaneous legal costs. The problem is not | | | | a those with money. |
| simply that of the lawyer, but includes doctors, | | | | Keep in mind that the greater the area of |
| nurses, hospitals, clinics, and the public. | | | | specialty and the fields in most demand, the |
| One strategy for reducing operational costs is | | | | higher legal costs are going to be. For instance, |
| cutting salaries of doctors and nurses. Newer, | | | | doctors and nurses practicing in cardiology, |
| younger, and less experienced practitioners are | | | | neurosurgery, geriatrics, and oncology are in high |
| being brought on board in many practices, which | | | | demand, and the demand is growing. A higher |
| can increase the risk of negative occurrences. As | | | | patient base means there is more potential for |
| mishaps and errors increase, more people file | | | | things to go wrong, and thus the greater need for |
| malpractice lawsuits. This can quickly become a | | | | insurance. Specialists also need big coverage. After |
| vicious cycle of lowering income, bringing on less | | | | all, when a doctor is performing brain surgery, the |
| experienced professionals, watching risk increase, | | | | risk and results of something going wrong are |
| and spending more money for protection against | | | | greater than for a doctor suturing a wound. |
| malpractice. | | | | On top of these factors, some patients simply |
| With mounting insurance costs and legal fees, we | | | | look for ways of taking advantage of the system |
| also see more experienced doctors retiring well | | | | without giving any thought to the impact on |
| before traditional retirement years. One doctor in | | | | others. If, for example, a person gets an infection |
| Kansas City, Missouri had been practicing for 25 | | | | after surgery, a malpractice lawsuit might be filed. |
| years as an OB/GYN. He loved his work and the | | | | If, upon reviewing the facts, the court deems the |
| new lives he brought into the world. After | | | | surgeon innocent since the patient did not |
| dedicating his entire career in one direction, he | | | | complete follow-up care as required, the doctor is |
| was forced to stop his area of practice due to | | | | in the clear. But even though the surgeon did not |
| high risk, costly insurance, and legal fees. Going | | | | have to pay damages, significant legal fees were |
| into general practice, he lasted one year. | | | | still paid to go through the lawsuit process. |
| Disgruntled and frustrated, he bowed out and | | | | These factors and changes directly affect the |
| retired. | | | | type and quality of healthcare the American |
| High legal costs are contributing to a loss of | | | | people receive. Rather than skimp on caring for |
| control over patient care provision, as well as | | | | our people, we need to address ways in which |
| adding mounds of clerical work, increasing the | | | | legal costs can be brought back under control. |
| need for more office help. Unfortunately, there | | | | |