Discuss heathcare reform with Senator John Cornyn

John Cornyn
US Senator, Texas (R)
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From Senator Cornyn: Your Input on Comparative Effectiveness

Posted on November 4, 2009

As a United States Senator and member of the Senate Finance Committee, I have been deeply involved in the debate over what comprehensive health care reform should look like. Throughout the process, I have fought to enact reform that will bring down the costs of health care while simultaneously increasing access for millions of Americans.

I have a particular interest in two related issues when it comes to health care reform: medical liability reform and the practice of defensive medicine. According to some estimates, meaningful medical liability reform could save taxpayers up to $126 billion a year while giving you and your colleagues the ability to do what you do best: treat patients.  In my home state of Texas, we've experienced that success.

Unfortunately, incorporating proven medical liability reforms has not even been given serious consideration as Washington debates comprehensive health care reform. Former DNC Chairman Howard Dean explained the reason for leaving out this common-sense solution when he said "the people who wrote [the bill] did not want to take on the trial lawyers."  So instead of reducing defensive medicine by limiting lawsuit abuse, the current proposals "address" the issue by increasing Washington's control over the practice of medicine.

For example, the House and Senate health reform bills under consideration contain provisions to increase the federal government's role in comparative effectiveness research to determine which treatments are best for a given condition. While more research can better guide evidence-based medicine, I am concerned that federal health programs will use the findings from this research to make one-size-fits-all coverage decisions in an effort to reduce what bureaucrats consider "unnecessary" tests and treatments.  I am concerned that the government taking a more active role in determining treatment will only constrain physicians from delivering the most appropriate patient care. I would value the perspective of practicing physicians on this issue.

Please let me know your thoughts in the poll to the right and in the comments below. As the people on the front lines, your opinions and insight are critically important if Congress is to get health care reform right.

Thank you for your time,

John Cornyn
U.S. Senator, Texas

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