House Votes To Limit Malpractice Damages

In a long-sought victory for the nation’s doctors, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted Thursday night to limit pain and suffering damages in medical malpractice cases to $250,000.

On a 247-171 vote, lawmakers voted to include the ceiling on malpractice damages as part of a broader bill to limit the amount plaintiffs can collect in product liability suits. Final passage of the bill was expected today.

Supporters hailed the malpractice measure as a key to reforming the nation’s health care system. Opponents decried it as a further victimization of patients and relatives.