USA Today, "Putting a face on malpractice insurance debate"
In the debate swirling around what some call a medical malpractice insurance crisis, the sides are pretty well drawn: doctors, hospitals and insurance companies vs. the trial lawyers. But where do patients fit in? Doctors and hospitals say patients will find it increasingly difficult to obtain care if lawmakers do not enact tort reform to stem frivolous lawsuits and escalating payouts. Trial lawyers argue that tort reform -- especially a cap on damages for pain and suffering -- will block the only route by which some patients or their families can get compensated for mistakes by incompetent doctors. The truth is probably somewhere in between.