Economy/Health Failed General Election
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PEAPAC Recommends: YES

Bible supports restitution for accidents (Ex 21), but current awards are unrealistic and drive up costs; cap is realistic.

Summary

Caps ‘pain and suffering’ damages in medical malpractice suits at $500,000.

Biblical Reasoning

A significant cost of medical care is insurance to protect care-givers. The Bible says that people should be paid back when accidents occur and damage them or their property ( Ex. 21:33,34, etc. ) Insurance is a way for doctors to spread the risk of such accidents. But insurance costs have risen rapidly as juries award unrealistic judgments to people for “pain and suffering.”

Exodus 21:33-34 — “The Bible says that people should be paid back when accidents occur and damage them or their property”

Election Results

49%
51%
YesNo

Voters narrowly rejected the healthcare damages limit (51% No).

Full PEAPAC Analysis

PEAPAC Explanation: This would put a cap of $500,000 on how much “pain and suffering” sorts of damages might be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits. It does not limit the amount of money that can be awarded to an injured party for actual economic losses suffered.

PEAPAC Comment: Families are having a harder and harder time paying for their medical bills and insurance. This Measure would help control medical costs, while still ensuring that people are paid back for actual losses suffered when care-givers make mistakes. A significant cost of medical care is insurance to protect care-givers. The Bible says that people should be paid back when accidents occur and damage them or their property ( Ex. 21:33,34, etc. ) Insurance is a way for doctors to spread the risk of such accidents. But insurance costs have risen rapidly as juries award unrealistic judgments to people for “pain and suffering.” This Measure would put a realistic cap on such awards, thus helping control medical costs. We urge a Yes vote on Measure 35.

← PreviousMeasure 34 (2004)