Texas’ 2003 medical liability reforms swiftly ended an epidemic of lawsuit abuse, brought thousands of sorely needed new physicians to Texas, and encouraged the state’s shell-shocked physicians to return to caring for patients with high-risk diseases and injuries.
The landmark legislation saved access to care across the state, particularly in rural Texas and the Rio Grande Valley, and in critical specialties like obstetrics/gynecology, emergency medicine, and neurosurgery. Under tort reform, the number of physicians practicing in Texas has grown even faster than our exploding population. Tort reform, however, is a never-ending political and legislative battleground in Texas. We cannot relax our guard against direct attacks on the 2003 law.
TMA recommends that the Texas Legislature:
- Protect the caps on noneconomic damages in medical liability cases but continue to allow unlimited economic damages.
- Maintain the special liability standard for emergency department services, obstetrical units, and emergency surgery.
Last Updated On
March 09, 2021
Originally Published On
January 10, 2019