The New York Times ran an article today on the success of med-mal reform in Texas: doctors, especially those in high-risk specialties, are flooding into the state since voters passed a referendum in 2003 that restricted non-economic damages to $250,000 and punitive damages to $1.6 million.  Word spread quickly in the medical community: license applications jumped 18 percent after the referendum passed, and 30 percent in the last fiscal year.

Of course, the New York Times must give the other side its due, quoting a trial lawyer that things had gone too far, and an injured patient who was operated on by a drug-addicted surgeon.  Obviously, with so many new doctors, there are more investigations of possible error.  Nevertheless, of the 10,878 physicians newly licensed since 2003, only 14 have been subject to disciplinary action - none for actually harming patients.

What a success! By the way, Texas is ranked in 11th place in the Medical Tort category of the U.S. Index of Health Ownership.  Where is your state, and is it considering similar reforms that have such a positive effect?