The News and Observer reports that Governor Perdue signed two pieces of legislation: tort reform and workers' compensation reform. But she vetoed medical malpractice reform.
A key part of the process of making North Carolina competitive again is to reduce the cost of doing business here. That means reducing costs related to insurance and lawsuits. The state legislature dutifully produced legislation that would achieve these objectives. We are making progress, but work remains.
Joe,
Since the "end of the Recession" July 2009 I hear, the State of Texas has produced some 40% of all new private sector jobs in the US. That is an amazing stat. The environment in Texas includes a new piece of legislation in the court system called "Loser Pays," designed to eliminate frivolous lawsuits. I believe the new GA would like to model our State in some ways after a proven 'Jobs Environment' like Texas as opposed to the path we were on, modeled after California.
Posted by: Jeff Hyde | June 26, 2011 at 06:45 PM
Jeff, I agree. I think we need to learn some lessons from Texas which has been astonishingly successful despite a declining national economy.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | June 26, 2011 at 06:54 PM
Joe, I've got mixed feelings about the veto of the malpractice bill.
We are not going to have meaningful malpractice reform in this state until the legislature is willing to have the difficult conversations about medical peer review reform and real whistle-blower protection for doctors and nurses (given that so many of them are now employed and at the mercy of their employers - exactly where Obama wants them).
Trouble is, these are are conversations that North Carolina's Hospital Association CLEARLY does not want to take place - because the state's hospitals would then be forced to admit that very bad things have happened to doctors who bucked the system and blew the whistle on bad care.
The Medical Society and Medical Boards would also have to admit that they've been asleep when it came to protecting their own from retaliation.
Ugly stuff.
The fact is that "business-friendly" has trumped patient safety FOR YEARS in North Carolina.
These things being said, I don't for one second believe that any of the above had anything to do with Beverly Perdue's reasons for vetoing the bill. She doesn't have the depth of understanding for that.
It was very telling a few weeks ago, when former Speaker of the N.C. House, Harold Brubaker (a Republican and my representative in name only) allowed the Courier Tribune to run an ad on behalf of the NC Hospital Association essentially thanking him for being their best kept man in the legislature. This is a duly-elected representative of the people who has openly stated that doctors "don't know how" to properly motivate legislators - meaning they don't give him money, and since he's for sale to the highest bidder, right or wrong, MD's are SOL.
It was even more disturbing that the average citizen would not get the message in the ad.
But local doctors sure did.
Posted by: Dr. Mary Johnson | June 26, 2011 at 07:10 PM
Mary, I think Governor Perdue probably perceives she and her party have access to ample donations from those who benefit from tort reform and workers's comp reform. But she likely perceives she does not have much access to donations from physicians who might benefit from malpractice reform. And, of course, the trial lawyers still have significant clout.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | June 26, 2011 at 08:02 PM
Joe, I've been enjoying reading your reporting and analysis of the happenings in state government.
Great comments, Dr. J.
Posted by: Brandon Burgess | June 26, 2011 at 09:30 PM
Thanks, Brandon.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | June 26, 2011 at 09:50 PM
I think Bev may also be perceiving just one term in office.
As I read the latest "analysis" of the AMA's role in our lives over at Kevin MD (FYI, I've been banned there for a while - since I scolded the little pseudo-socialist/paid-AMA-hack for endorsing public-service programs to unsuspecting newbies), I felt like Norma Rae holding up her sign at Cone, excuse me, J.P. Stevens Mills.
(As an aside, did you know that Crystal Lee Sutton - the real "Norma Rae" died of brain cancer in 2009 - after battling her insurance company to cover treatment her doctors recommended?)
Doctors and nurses are not going to get any relief politically - for themselves or for patients - until/unless they organize under a flag other than the AMA's.
Our inclination to remain collegial and professional as we deal with snakes-in-suits is killing us.
Posted by: Dr. Mary Johnson | June 26, 2011 at 10:19 PM