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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2003
Contact: James Bernsen (512) 463-0630
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House Bill 4 praised as most significant economic development measure of 2003
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AUSTIN -- Representative Dianne White Delisi, District 55, voted with 98 fellow legislators to pass House Bill 4, the most significant tort reform bill in nearly a decade. The final version of the bill includes provisions Delisi sponsored to protect free medical clinics and good Samaritans.
"This bill will protect the volunteer physicians who work at the Temple and Killeen Free Clinics," Delisi said. "Without volunteer physicians to donate their time to the indigent, these clinics would have to close, and many of the most needy people in our community would not have this resource."
House Bill 4 includes reform to prevent excessive judgements in lawsuits, especially those in the area of medical malpractice. Recent judgements have resulted in an explosion in medical malpractice insurance costs, which have forced some doctors to close their practices and leave the state.
"Reforming our civil justice and medical liability statutes will benefit the Texas economy," Delisi said. She noted that a vast majority of leaders in the business and medical communities believe that Texas’ civil justice system needs these reforms to protect the state’s economy and the livelihood of all Texans.
"A balanced litigation system means plaintiffs, consumers, small businesses and large businesses will all enjoy and have access to a civil court system that is fair, stable and predictable. You can be sure that corporate officials in Texas and across the nation
who make expansion and relocation decisions are closely following the progress of HB 4. With its passage, Texas will shine as a beacon state for economic opportunity," Delisi said.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce lists Texas as one of the worst civil justice systems in America. "House Bill 4 promises to drain the lawsuit quagmire and replace it with new jobs, an expanding economy, and improved opportunities for working Texas and health care consumers," Delisi said.
Texas economist Ray Perryman estimates that the boost to our state’s annual gross product will be $17.3 billion in five years and personal income will increase by $10.9 billion. The economic benefits of House Bill 4 would rival those of 1995 tort reforms and could contribute to the creation of over 200,000 jobs by 2008.
House Bill 4 passed Thursday by a vote of 99-45. An accompanying joint resolution, HJR 3, was passed on Friday.
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