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House passes bill to cap medical malpractice lawsuit awards.

April 19, 2004
By: Paul C. Matadeen
State Capital Bureau
Links: HB 1304

===UPDATE 1===

The Missouri House passed a bill to limit payout for injury lawsuits.

Paul Matadeen tells why the legislation may face a veto by Governor Holden.

Story: ===UPDATE 1===
RunTime: APPROX. :40
OutCue: SOC

Plaintiffs could sue only in the county they got injured and their awards... capped to be one-hundred thousand dollars less than what's allowed today.

Bill sponsor Richard Byrd says it would ease malpractice insurance costs for doctors.

Opponents like Representative Rick Johnson say it's a waste of time.

Actuality: JOHNSON4.WAV
RunTime: :14
OutCue: "...ON THAT ALTAR."
Contents: " THEY WANT TO SEND A BILL TO THE GOVERNOR THAT HE MUST VETO BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN UNHEALTHY OBSESSION, I USED TO SAY WITH THE GOVERNOR, NOW FROM WHAT WE'VE SEEN WITH THIS GOVERNOR, AND THEY'RE WILLING TO SACRIFICE PHYSICIANS ON THAT ALTAR."

Governor Holden vetoed a similar bill last session.

It will now face the Senate for debate.

From the state capitol, I'm Paul Matadeen.

===UPDATE 2===
RunTime: APPROX. :40
OutCue: SOC

The legislation would put a cap on pain and suffering awards that's one-hundred thousand dollars less than it is right now.

Opponents like Democrat Phillip Willoughby (Will-U-be) say the legislation won't help doctors lower premiums on malpractice insurance.

Actuality:WILLOUGHBY1.WAV
RunTime: :15
OutCue: "...TOLD US THIS."
Contents: " IT DOSENT MATTER IF THE GOVERNOR SIGNS IT OR NOT, TORT REFORM DOES NOT MEAN INSURANCE REFORM. RATES ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO RISE, HOW DO WE KNOW THIS? THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS TOLD US THIS."

The governor vetoed a similar bill last session.

From the state capitol, I'm Paul Matadeen.