The American healthcare system is in a crisis and if lawmakers do not respond soon the best healthcare system in the world might collapse. Skyrocketing malpractice insurance rates are crippling our nation's health care system, and, if left alone, we run the risk of losing our system of health care as we know it. As we struggle to look for ways to contain health care costs, we must bring the outrageous costs of medical liability under control.

Last year, the House passed a bill, with my strong support, to address the crisis of medical liability. Unfortunately, the Senate never acted on this issue. Medical malpractice insurance will not be available in the future unless we control frivolous lawsuits and limit certain "pain and suffering" awards (in non-economic damage claims) to a common-sense level. Tort reform should be a cornerstone issue in the next major healthcare bill to move through Congress. I have long been a supporter of medical liability reform and will continue to fight for it until we bring this crisis under control.