January 16, 2003

WASHINGTON - Small Business Survival Committee President Darrell McKigney praised President Bush for stepping forward with proposals to curb medical practice lawsuit abuse.

In a speech in Scranton, Pennsylvania today, the President proposed placing limits on punitive damages and other legal reforms.  

"We're grateful that the President is taking strong action on medical malpractice legal reform.  The cost of health care has been skyrocketing for small businesses and their employees.  One of the key factors driving up health care costs has been the staggering cost of medical malpractice insurance which gets passed on to consumers and small businesses," said McKigney.  "Bringing some balance and rationality to the system is absolutely vital if small businesses and their employees are going to be able to afford health care insurance in the future."