The Tort Reform H.B. #4600, under the misleading title, "H.E.A.L.T.H. Act", passed the House 9/26/02.   Now that the Senate has reconvened,  this issue will probably become a priority item, based on what the President has been saying himself. 

H.R. 4600 
09/26/2002 
House Roll Call No. 421 
107th Congress, 2nd Session 
    
   The House bill that was passed last year would cap damages and limit attorney fees in medical malpractice lawsuits. The measure would limit "pain and suffering" damages to $250,000 and punitive damages to $250,000 or twice the amount of economic damages. The measure would also limit attorney fees and protect manufacturers from punitive damages if the product in question is FDA approved. 

   The House has passed six medical malpractice bills since 1995. If the Senate does not pass this bill, the House will no doubt try again. 

   Each time that happens, as it is once again happening this year, we must do all we can to persuade the Senate not to pass a medical malpractice bill. 

Yea Votes:   217 
Nay Votes:   203 
Non-Voting:    13     
    
   In spite of the data available showing the real causes and the effects of these lawsuits, as well as the motivation for insurance companies to jack up premiums regardless of various state caps, this movement has momentum and the backing of President Bush.  

   If you agree that this could be a major abridging of consumer’s right to accountability,  I  urge ALL of you, simply as individual voting citizens of the United States, to make brief phone calls to the White House AND your U.S. Senators' offices.  If you click on the pictures of your Senators from the website below, their phone and fax numbers will appear, as well as a link to sending them e-mail. 

   Call either 202-224-3121 (Whitehouse switchboard) or  202-456-1414 (President Bush).  Don't give up if the lines are busy (it costs nothing to get a busy signal).  Let's keep the phone lines lit up for days if necessary. 

   Have everyone in your household who is of voting age, neighbors, relatives, etc., make these phone calls, from anywhere in the country.  This  affects much more than nursing homes. 

   Phone calls are a priority, as e-mails may not be read for some time after you send them.  Better yet, do both. 

Please follow the instructions below to send your opinions to both the President and your U.S. Senators. 

Step 1:    Go to: http://mygov.governmentguide.com/mygov/index.html     
        
Step 2:    Enter your own zip code.
        
Step 3:    Click on each of your respective U.S. Senators and President Bush. 
        
Step 4:    Suggested subject line:   "NO Tort DE-Form".     
      
Step 5:    Compose your message.  Keep it short and focused, put your yea or nay in first sentence.  You can choose to have a copy sent to you. 

Survivors of malpractice and other concerned citizens will arrive in Washington on Tuesday, February 11th.  On Wednesday, February 12th, attendees will gather for a briefing breakfast and a news conference and then meet with legislators. 
This affects ALL of our rights to pursue justice through the courts, NOT just nursing home cases.  I'm not willing to relinquish my rights to the control of the offenders and politicians who want to keep them happy!!!! 

For those who are unable to afford their transportation and/or lodging in Washington, Center for Justice and Democracy will do our best to find support to cover these 
costs.