Effort to Curb Malpractice Awards Told

NEW YORK —  President Bush will submit to Congress this week a proposal to pressure states to limit court awards in malpractice cases, a published report said today.

A draft of the proposal made available by White House officials says states would be encouraged to limit pain and suffering awards for malpractice victims, set up mediation systems for resolving disputes and strengthen medical licensing boards, the New York Times reported.

In addition, the proposal would require that award payments be spread out over years rather than paid in a lump sum and establish guidelines on standard treatments for patients.

States failing to comply would lose some of the federal payments they receive under the government’s Medicare and Medicaid programs, which help pay for health care for the elderly and the poor.

White House officials say the plan will decrease the cost of medical care, mainly by cutting the amount doctors will have to pay for malpractice insurance in the hope they will charge patients less, the newspaper said.

Democrats interviewed in recent days told the paper that Bush’s proposal stands little chance of passage in its present form. But they said it put the Administration into the health-care debate and could be worked into other health care measures.

A malpractice expert expressed concern that the proposal addressed doctors’ worries about large malpractice awards but not patients’ concerns about malpractice itself.