New Study Touts Texas Reforms

The proof is in the pudding, folks. We probably sound like a broken record, but – it’s true: reform works.

A public policy think tank in Texas recently released a new study that found that medical malpractice reform has improved medical access for residents all over the state.

The Center for Economic Freedom, part of the Texas Public Policy Foundation in Austin, Texas, produced the study, titled “The Texas Model: Improving Health Care through Tort Reform.”

Ryan Brannan, a policy analyst who compiled the research for the study, said, "Prior to 2003, the State of Texas was in a medical crisis... Doctors were being sued at record pace and for record sums as there was no cap on non-economic damage awards. This caused malpractice rates to rise significantly. One out of four doctors had a claim filed against them each year."

The situation in Texas caused a mass exodus of doctors from the state. Thankfully, common sense legal reforms were passed in 2003. Doctors returned “in such great numbers that Texas now has more physicians per capita than ever before - even formerly underserved areas have access to physicians, the study claims.”

We love telling the tale of Texas around here, because we hope that other states will follow suit. In trying economic times like these, we could all use a little reform, because it works.