It has been estimated that the need to practice defensive medicine to protect care givers from malpractice claims may cost Americans as much as $200 billion a year in extra tests and unneccessary procedures.   The absence of Tort Reform from Obamacare is one reason so many Americans are skeptical of any claims of future cost savings. Last night Obama stated"I am directing my Secretary of Health and Human Services to move forward on this initiative today,"Stephen F. Hayes at the Weekly Standard notes That would be Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, whose resume includes eight years as director of the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association.So Obama has chosen a former industry lobbyist to run run tort reform.Why are people cynical about health care reform?(Read Full Post)