Doctors get support

Jet, Jan 24, 2005

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Caption: DOCTORS GET SUPPORT: Erick Falconer M.D. of St. Louis, MO, shakes hands with President Bush at the Gateway Center, a convention facility in Collinsville, IL, following Bush's speech on medical liability reform. Before a crowd of more than 1,200 physicians, nurses and supporters the President said that large malpractice awards have increased the cost of business so much that doctors have to close their businesses or scale back services. "The system needs to be fixed," he said. "We've got a real problem folks." Bush continued to push for limits on jury awards for medical mistakes with a visit to the Illinois county where the White House says frivolous lawsuits have run amok.