President Obama’s speech on malpractice both left Republicans demanding more and Democrats worried that President Obama will sell the rights of the few for health care reform. Clarifying his thinking (sort of), President Obama said on 60 Minutes on Sunday that there was no evidence that malpractice caps would make a meaningful difference in the costs of health care.
“What I would be willing to do is to consider any ideas out there that would actually work in terms of reducing costs, improving the quality of patient care. So far the evidence I’ve seen is that caps will not do that.”
But President Obama chose – as he always does – his words very carefully. “So far the evidence” means this is what I think…. but I might change my mind if I have to for health care reform to go through. President Obama is keeping his options open on health care tort reform.