Only Nixon could go to China...only Edwards can advocate tort reform

[farmbo]

John Edwards has become the invisible man. He's getting zero press coverage (except his blurb in the first Swiftboat ad) and the working press strictly considers him yesterday's news.

Much of this indifference derives from the fact that he has yet to launch any major policy initiatives from the campaign stump. I know. I know...major policy initiatives should be launched by the presidential candidate blaugh...blaugh...blaugh.

But why not have John Edwards announce a major innovation in public policy: meaningful and fair medical malpractice reform.

Unlike, Bush/Rove's Insurance company relief act, our plan can link restrictions on Med Mal lawsuits and jury awards with limitations on Med Mal Insurance Company premiums and require coverage for all physicians. State funded compensation programs can be set up to assure fair compensation for victims and Medical boards can be given greater power to discipline chronic offenders.

As for the Trial Lawyers...suck it up. If Bush gets elected, you'll be out of business entirely.

[DixieDem]

1. Great point!!!

They have a good plan, but Edwards needs to find a way into the limelight on this issue.

http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/health_care/business.html

"Help Reduce Medical Malpractice Premiums. As president, John Kerry will require that a qualified specialist certifies a medical malpractice case's merit before it is allowed to move forward. He will also work with states to ensure the availability of non-binding mediation in all malpractice claims before cases proceed to trial. John Kerry will make the system fairer for doctors and patients alike by preventing and punishing frivolous lawsuits. Lawyers who file frivolous cases would face tough, mandatory sanctions, including a "three strikes and you're out" provision that forbids lawyers who file three frivolous cases from bringing another suit for the next 10 years. John Kerry also opposes punitive damages - unless intentional misconduct, gross negligence, or reckless indifference to life can be established. Finally, John Kerry will work to eliminate the special privileges that allow insurance companies to fix prices and collude in ways that increase medical malpractice premiums."