Fifty-three percent (53%) of U.S. voters say restricting jury awards in medical malpractice lawsuits would significantly reduce the cost of health care in the United States.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that only 21% disagree and 25% are not sure.

With Republicans pushing for so-called tort reform as part of the health care reform bill now before Congress, 56% of all voters agree that the government should limit the amount of money a jury can award a plaintiff in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Twenty-three percent (23%) oppose limits on jury awards and 21% are undecided.

The new findings come as some congressional Democrats are looking for ways to attract Republican support for health care reform legislation. Tort reform which is not now part of the bill is seen by some as a strong bargaining chip. However, trial lawyers, who are big supporters of the Democratic Party, view tort reform as a severe restriction on patients’ rights.

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In a survey in mid-June, 75% rated medical malpractice lawsuits as an important factor in the rising cost of health care. Thirty-three percent (33%) said it was very important. A plurality (48%) also believe it is too easy to sue a doctor for malpractice in the United States today.

As is often the case, the Political Class disagrees with Mainstream America on the issue. Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Mainstream Americans think limiting jury awards would significantly reduce health care costs, but a plurality (47%) of the Political Class disagree.

Similarly, 61% of Mainstream Americans say the government should limit the amount a jury can award a plaintiff in a medical malpractice suit, but only 26% of the Political Class agree.

Voters under the age of 30 are the least critical of jury awards and the least supportive of any limits on them. Men are more likely than women to say restricting the jury awards will lower health care costs and to favor limiting the size of those awards.

Most Republicans and voters not affiliated with either major party say restricting malpractice awards will significantly reduce the cost of health care. Democrats are less likely to hold that view, but a plurality of those in the President’s party agree. The same pattern is found on the question of limiting jury awards in malpractice cases.

As Congress returns to Washington from its August recess, the health care reform bill is at the top of its agenda. The president will be giving them a push with a nationally televised speech Wednesday night. But many Americans remain skeptical of the plan. Despite promises to the contrary, for example, 52% of those who now have health insurance say it’s likely they will have to change coverage following passage of the congressional health care reform proposal.

If Democrats agree on a health care reform bill that is opposed by all Republicans in Congress, just 24% of voters nationwide say the Democrats should pass that bill. Fifty-eight percent (58%) believe the Democrats should change the bill to win support from "a reasonable number of Republicans."

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