Malpractice changes are a part of health debate

As they search for savings to redo the nation's $2.4 trillion health system, key congressional Democrats and administration officials are indicating they're open to changing a system that's a burden for doctors but a boon to attorneys and some victims of medical error. "The cost issue is the thing that we actually think is the big driver in this whole debate," Obama told business leaders last week. Research, prevention and "medical liability issues—I think all those things have to be on the table," the president said.