|
medpundit |
||
 |
 |
|
Tuesday, March 25, 2003Americans are accustomed to purchasing insurance for disability, for death and dismemberment, for injuries sustained in an automobile, airplane or boat. Why not purchase insurance when one has to undergo the complex and sometimes risky treatments available today to deal with medical illness? The cost of this insurance would be small and could be funded by a small surcharge on every health and accident insurance policy. A similar plan was enacted by the federal government in 1986 in response to a crisis, when the few remaining vaccine manufacturers informed the government that they would cease manufacture of childhood vaccines unless the government solved the liability problem. The government's response was the National Childhood Vaccination Injury Act of 1986. A list of compensable events was developed and if a child experienced such an event after vaccination, a claim could be filed and, if appropriate, payment made through a compensation fund. This fund was established by placing a small surcharge on every dose of vaccine sold. The plan has worked very well and has allowed manufacturers of childhood vaccines to continue production. The medical injury insurance plan would work in a similar manner. It would compensate far more patients in a way that is more timely, efficient, and fair than our current system. It would be nonadversarial and would significantly reduce the cost of defensive medicine. It would take the financial pressure off many high-risk specialists and relieve the pending crisis of access to care for many Americans. It would promote the reporting of medical errors and near-misses resulting in a meaningful patient-safety system. Well, that's a different approach. But, it doesn't sound very feasible. Under the Vaccine Injury Act, it's the physician who decides if a child has been harmed by a vaccine. Who would decide if a patient had actually been harmed by malpractice? ADDENDUM: Thanks to Diablogger for the tip. posted by Sydney on 3/25/2003 07:28:00 AM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
|
