Report Shows Reform’s Impacts and Celebrates Ten Year Anniversary

At Project Lawsuit Abuse, we frequently talk about the benefits that tort reform has brought to Texas, but today we have another example of proof.

To mark almost ten years after Texas passed its expansive tort reform measures, the Heritage Foundation’s Texas Public Policy Foundation reviewed the impacts that these reforms have had on both jobs and health care in the state.  Both cases mark record success. 

When looking at Texas’ economy, it has no doubt been strengthened by the reforms passed in the 1990s. The report states that the connection is much “stronger than most people realize,” because fair courts create a well-balanced playing field for business to be conducted and helps remove some of the risk involved – such as having to fight frivolous lawsuits or become victim to an outlandish settlement cost.

The reforms passed by Gov. Rick Perry around medical malpractice lawsuits have also had a direct impact in bringing better doctors to Texas. According to the Heritage report, “by the end of 2013, 10 years and three months after the effective date of HB4, the number of licensed physicians in Texas will almost have doubled.”
 
The report argues that if the Texas example is so clear, why are other states not modeling this legislation? We agree, Heritage Foundation. It’s time to create jobs (and access to healthcare), not lawsuits! 

Check out the full report here.