State GOP moves on lowering cost of health care

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Republicans took the first step last week on legislation aimed at reducing the costs to health-care providers and businesses that result from lawsuits. Such reforms are a top GOP goal for the year.

Similar bills introduced in both the Senate and House of Representatives would cap the amount of punitive damages and awards for pain and suffering a plaintiff could receive.

The measures would also require lawsuits to be filed in the county where the alleged injury took place. Such provisions are aimed at stopping the practice of venue shopping, in which lawsuits are filed in plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions such as St. Louis city, even if the injury occurred in, say, Stoddard County.

During a Thursday news conference announcing the legislation, several Missouri doctors said frivolous lawsuits are causing medical malpractice insurance rates to rise so high that many doctors, even those who have unblemished records, are quitting their practices.

"We've been experiencing 30 percent yearly increases in medical malpractice insurance," said Dr. Richard Jannette, president of Jefferson City Medical Group. "Despite having a good record, we may lose our insurance in June."

The higher cost for doctors has also made it more expensive for employers to provide health coverage to workers, supporters said.

The bills' sponsors said the legislation wouldn't bar the courthouse doors for those who have been harmed by doctor negligence.

"We support the right of legitimately injured plaintiffs to seek damages," said state Rep. Richard Byrd, R-Kirkwood.

Rejecting raises

With only one vote against, the House last week rejected higher pay scales for themselves, judges and statewide elected officials.

The scales were recommended by the Citizen's Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials, which every two years proposes pay increases for certain officeholders.

The Senate had earlier rejected the new pay scales without opposition. Final votes in both chambers are expected this week.

Without legislative action to the contrary, the salary commission's recommendations would automatically take effect next month.

Since state workers haven't received a pay hike in two years, most lawmakers said it wasn't right to give themselves raises. Even if the pay scale took effect, it wouldn't necessarily mean higher salaries for lawmakers and others. The commission's previous recommendation two years ago was adopted, but lawmakers never appropriated the money to pay for the raises.

Actual pay for legislators, judges and executive branch elected officials hasn't increased since 1999.

A movement is afoot to abolish the commission, which Missouri voters authorized in 1994 with the intention of taking pay issues out of the hands of lawmakers. Detractors say it has given lawmakers cover for boosting salary scales every two years.

Getting rid of the commission would require another statewide vote.

Helping veterans

Lt. Gov. Joe Maxwell said that efforts to increase the amount of federal benefits going to eligible Missouri veterans are paying off. During last fiscal year, Maxwell said compensation claims by Missouri veterans jumped by 23.7 percent.

"If all our Missouri veterans were receiving their benefits, it would total nearly one-third of a billion dollars," Maxwell said. "That is money that would not only benefit the lives of veterans but help to boost our state economy."

Maxwell, who heads a task force aimed at helping veterans get their benefits, said Missouri jumped to 36th in the nation in average federal dollars received per veteran, up from 43rd.

Veterans looking for help receiving benefits can call (886) 838-4636 or log on to www.mvc.state.mo.us.

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