Democrats support cap on non-economic medical malpractice damages
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Democrats support cap on non-economic medical malpractice damages

Date: April 9, 2014
By: Shannon O'Brien
State Capitol Bureau
Links: HB 1173

Intro: 
A measure to impose limits on awards to pain and suffering damages got words of support from Democrats in the Missouri Senate Wednesday.
RunTime:  0:33
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The measure would re-reinstate a 350-thousand-dollar cap on non-economic pain and suffering damages.

Democratic Senator Joseph Keaveny said he supports a cap, but suggested it be one-million-dollars.

But, Republican Senator Rob Schaaf said a cap this high would drive doctors to states with lower or no caps.  

Actuality:  SCHAAF4.WAV
Run Time:  00:12
Description: "Do you want people to be comin' to Missouri or don't chya? And, if you do you need to not set the non-economic damage limit at a million dollars. And, that's just the reality Senator."

Schaaf is the Senate's only licensed physician.  

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Shannon O'Brien.

Intro: 
A measure that would limit awards for non-economic damages for pain and suffering received words of support from Democratic Senators on the Missouri Senate floor.
RunTime:  0:33
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The bill would re-implement a limit on pain and suffering damages that was thrown out by the state Supreme Court in 20-12.  

St. Louis Democratic Senator Joseph Keaveny suggested the cap be raised to one-million-dollars.

Actuality:  KEAVENY1.WAV
Run Time:  00:07
Description: "I'm not saying that we don't need to institute some type of cap, but 350-thousand-dollars is too low."

Another Democratic Senator supported a cap and said hopefully it will empower doctors to do what they need to do.

The Senate's only licensed physician Republican Senator Rob Schaaf said we need to have a cap, but the question is where it should be.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Shannon O'Brien.