Suing the OB-GYNs
Our legal system doesn't exactly welcome life into the world.

by Rich Lowery

Excerpt:

"It wasn't long ago that the obstetrician was celebrated in American culture, on
television and in movies, as the reassuring professional who did the work
necessary to produce that joyous first wail of a newborn. Now obstetricians are
filling a different role as the target of medical-liability suits.

Amazingly enough, we have created a legal system that disadvantages people who
deliver babies....

The lawsuit-driven crisis in obstetrics has prompted the American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists to make tort reform its highest legislative
priority.

The issue deserves all the more scrutiny given that the Democratic ticket
features a candidate, John Edwards, who made the fortune that funded his
political career partly by suing obstetricians. The Democratic party has, more
firmly than ever, aligned itself with the vultures feasting on obstetrics.

Entering the field is now basically signing up to be sued. According to ACOG, 76
percent of its membership reports being sued at least once.

Nearly 60 percent have had two or more claims filed against them, and 41 percent
have been sued three or more times. On average, OB-GYNs have 2.6 claims filed
against them during their careers. It takes an average of four years for a claim
to be resolved, and 13 percent of claims take seven years or more.

http://www.nationalreview.com/lowry/lowry200408201007.asp