Need to Know: January 25, 2013: Do no harm and Danish medical courts

On the second of two inauguration specials examining the advocacy group “Common Good’s” proposals to end bureaucratic gridlock and get the United States moving forward, “Need to Know” anchor Jeff Greenfield explores how malpractice lawsuits contribute to rising healthcare costs. Correspondent William Brangham travels to Denmark, where medical disputes are settled by experts without ever going to court.

Read the full transcript.

Support for this program is made possible by: Perry and Donna Golkin Family Foundation, The William and Mary Greve Foundation, and O’Shaughnessy Family Partners LLC.

What’s on this week:

	Do no harm Every year, one in 14 doctors in America will be sued for malpractice. Most lawsuits will be dismissed, or resolved in favor of the doctor; but the cost of insuring against such suits can be huge.
	The Danish option A closer look at how medical malpractice is handled in Denmark, by taking litigation out of the equation completely. Supporters of the system say it makes it easier for doctors to practice medicine, and for injured patients to get compensated quickly.
	Prescriptive policies for medical malpractice Can the U.S. change its costly court-based way of dealing with medical mistakes?  Stuck between tort reform and patient’s rights — see what some states are trying.

Watch more full episodes of Need to Know.