Who knew?

I hate to say it, but this will never happen as long as the Democrats are in charge, and even if the Republicans win both houses back it's still a long shot.

$54 Billion over ten years? That's almost as much as the CBO said the Baucus bill would reduce the deficit. And it won't cost a penny except perhaps a few less expensive cars for the tort lawyers.

Listen, I was a Tort Lawyer. I got out of that business because it is all about the money. Every once in a while a legitimate case comes down the pike where I could agree that punishment for the tortfeasor is necessary and appropriate. But those cases are few and far between. I'll do you one better and say that tort reform in the automobile insurance industry would lower premiums faster and more significantly than any other reform measure imaginable.

There is no reason to think that doing so for medical malpractice wouldn't have the exact same dramatic effect on costs. Follow the money and you can see why the Democrats are loathe to experiment with a free reform that will save tens of billions of dollars.

Russ