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Medical malpractice bill dies in Senate

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A bill that would have limited pain and suffering awards in medical malpractice lawsuits has been defeated in the Senate.

Democrats yesterday used a procedural vote to kill the bill, which was introduced by Senate Republicans. The Republican-led House of Representatives passed the bill earlier this year.

Democrats claimed the $250,000 proposed cap might increase the bottom line of insurers and drug manufacturers, but would not necessarily lower malpractice insurance costs for physicians or help aggrieved patients.

Republicans, backed by the American Medical Association and other medical lobbying groups, have said the bill was necessary to avert the growing medical malpractice crisis.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R.- S.C.) have introduced an alternative proposal that would address medical errors, provide tax relief to physicians with high malpractice costs, limit punitive damages and repeal the anti-trust exemptions for insurers.

The Republican bill was defeated 49-48.