U.S. Chamber to Congress: Listen to Voters and Include Medical Liability Reforms in Health Care Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) this week launched a new national public awareness campaign calling on Congress to take notice of the majority of voters who support the inclusion of medical liability reform in health care legislation.

"As Congressional members witnessed first-hand during their August town hall meetings, the American people overwhelmingly support medical liability reform as a way to reduce costs and improve the quality of care," said ILR President Lisa Rickard. "Unfortunately, as this debate approaches the finish line, it seems that the trial lawyer lobby is cashing in all its political chips to retain the status quo."

The radio advertisement, which is being aired on national talk radio and network news programs, cites the high public support for reforming the costly medical liability system. "Medical malpractice reform – 63 percent of Americans support it, and it could save $120 billion in health care costs, but the trial lawyers want to keep it out of health care reform," says a voiceover in the ad.

"Plaintiffs' lawyers are the only group that has not been asked to make sacrifices in the health care debate, which is why they have been fighting tooth and nail against any reforms that could impact their lucrative medical lawsuit businesses. Instead of siding with the national trial lawyer lobby, our elected officials should listen to the will of the American people and include meaningful medical liability reforms in the health care bills moving through Congress," Rickard concluded.

The full 30 second radio ad can be found here: http://www.instituteforlegalreform.com/component/ilr_adverts/30/item/69.html

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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