Tort Reform Benefits Insurance in Texas

Beth Janicek

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 395

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Conservative Fox News investigated the benefits of Tort Reform in Texas and finds it was not needed, hasn’t worked but has sure made a lot of money for the insurance companies.

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, companies selling medical malpractice insurance in Texas made $807,325,106 profit in the first three years following tort reform.  In 2006, more than 50 cents of every dollar collected was profit.  

The investigation looked at collected data on the reasons given for Tort Reform and if those reasons were justified and if they have been successful.  First they researched the idea that Tort Reform was needed because Texas was in a medical malpractice crisis.  The simple answer is Texas was not.  There were not huge payouts being made in Texas as compared to other states nor had Texas had any increase in lawsuits being filed.  The other reason given for Texas needing Tort Reform was that Texas needed more doctors.  The Fox investigation found this was also false.

In 2000, Texas was in 40th place for the number of patient care physicians per capita. By 2006, the most recent year recorded, Texas had dropped to 43rd place.

The Fox investigation concluded that the impact of Tort Reform has had a decrease in the number of medical malpractice lawsuits being filed which results in more money in the insurance companies’ pockets.