Park Plaza Hospital held a Get Out The Vote rally in support of Proposition 12 with Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday, Aug. 27. Governor Perry addressed a standing-room-only crowd of health care professionals to urge a “Yes” vote on Proposition 12 on the Sept. 13 constitutional amendment ballot. Proposition 12 would limit non-economic damage awards in medical liability lawsuits to $750,000. Real economic damages would continue to be awarded and would not be limited by the amendment.

Charlie Slaton, senior vice president of operations for Tenet’s 16 Texas hospitals, including Park Plaza and four other Houston hospitals, welcomed guests to the rally in the conference center at Park Plaza.

“Each of us here today knows only too well that we have a serious medical liability crisis in Texas, and it’s shaking the very foundation of our health care system,” Slaton said. “Each of us here has an opportunity and a responsibility to make our voices heard on this important issue, and to improve health care for decades to come.”

In his introduction of the Governor, Park Plaza Hospital President & CEO Lex Guinn explained that patients are the ones who are truly hurt by skyrocketing medical liability premiums. 

“In 152 of the 254 Texas counties, pregnant women have to leave their community to have their babies because there is no Obstetrician in that county,” Guinn said. “Half of Texas doctors say they’ve had to stop providing certain services to their patients. And two-thirds of doctors surveyed said that the malpractice epidemic has forced them to deny or refer high-risk cases in the past two years. The list goes on and on,” Guinn added.

Surrounded by physicians, Gov. Perry addressed the audience by saying the status quo is bad for Texas patients. “Last year, the lowest number of new physicians obtained their medical licenses in this state in a decade,” he said. “We want health care to be affordable and accessible from the delivery room to the emergency room, on the Texas border and in rural areas.” 

The Governor said that voting yes on Proposition 12 would reduce liability costs for doctors and hospitals, help make healthcare more affordable and accessible for Texas families and employers, and encourage healthcare professionals to practice in Texas. 

For more information about Prop 12, visit www.yeson12.org.