Tort Reform: a Boon for                  Corporations and Insurance Companies "All evidence suggests that tort reform would have a minimal impact on malpractice cost. In California, which is the state that everyone uses, there was almost no impact when caps were placed UNTIL the insurance commission got into the act. The problem with tort reform, other than it being a smokescreen, is that most of the money that SHOULD go to patients goes to lawyers. For pain and suffering, 40% of any award is too much, considering that the lawyer didn't have any pain and suffering. Once again, we need to focus on the fact that universal health care will have a HUGE impact on malpractice because no suit need involve ongoing medical care."  Scott Tyson, MD                                                                                                                            HOME Physicians for a National Health Program PUSH steering committee