A new nationwide poll finds that heavy majorities of voters across party lines believe that the legal system is increasing health care costs. The survey also found that 66 percent of voters favor taking medical claims out of the current legal system and putting them into new health courts with expert judges. The poll was conducted for Common Good by Clarus Research Group.
Among the poll’s key findings are the following:
— A strong majority of voters––75 percent––believe “lawsuits and legal fees are a major cause of high medical insurance rates.” Eighty-nine percent of Republicans, 76 percent of independents and 62 percent of Democrats agree on this.
— Sixty-eight percent agree that “plenty of good doctors are leaving the practice of medicine because of the number of lawsuits and the cost of liability insurance.” Seventy-eight percent of Republicans, 64 percent of Democrats and 61 percent of independents agree. [Read more…]