Jamie Court, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, voiced concern about the potential problems for California patients with the compromise on patients’ rights that President Bush has agreed to with Rep. Charlie Norwood this evening.

“The Bush compromise must not be allowed to supercede more generous state laws, such as those enacted in California and Texas,” said Court.

The deal purportedly caps damages for patients’ pain and suffering as well as their punitive damages at $1.5 million combined. By contrast, Californians currently have a right to sue for unlimited damages. Court, also the co-author of Making A Killing HMOs and the Threat To Your Health (Common Courage Press), notes the legislation to be heard on the floor of the House of Representatives tomorrow must protect California’s HMO reforms and that of other states.