Medical malpractice reform moves to center stage

Washington, D.C.- The White House has signaled strong support for effortsto reduce medical liability insurance premiums, and Congressional leadersare pushing for quick action. All sides agree that premiums are too highand that steps must be taken to prevent doctors from closing up officesor moving to other states. There is strong disagreement, though, over howto resolve the problem. The debate is shaping up between Republicans whowant to limit jury awards as a way to bring down insurance costs, and Democratswho claim that insurers are just trying to recoup lost investment incomeand want to impose new restrictions on the insurance industry.