With rising healthcare costs a concern, a new poll by McLaughlin & Associates finds strong support among Georgia voters for the proposed Patients Compensation System as a concept to curb healthcare costs, reduce the practice of defensive medicine and give more patients access to justice.

The statewide poll released today, shows by a 3-1 majority, registered voters favor replacing the current medical malpractice system with the proposed PCS. Sixty-one percent favors the idea when they heard the concept would include an independent medical review board of doctors, nurses, hospital administrators and other certified personnel to determine whether negligence had occurred and that claims would be paid in six to nine months.

Seventy-three percent preferred a Patients Compensation System that paid out claims quickly compared to the current protracted legal system that can take up to seven years.

Almost two-thirds of all voters said they were more likely to support a candidate who backed this reform.

"Georgians are telling us they want something that will reduce healthcare costs and will compensate patients more quickly and fairly," said John McLaughlin, founder of the firm. "This should be easy for Georgia lawmakers to embrace."

Georgia Sen. Brandon Beach introduced Senate Bill 141 which would create a Patients Compensation System and replaceGeorgia's current medical malpractice system. It is currently before the Senate Health Committee for a series of hearings this fall.

The McLaughlin poll had other significant findings:

• When told the plan would cut healthcare costs so premiums, co-pays and deductibles would be more affordable, 85 percent said they supported PCS.
• When told the proposal would redirect money from attorneys and insurance companies so harmed patients would be compensated more quickly, 83 percent said they supported it.
• When told that a PCS would save Georgia taxpayers $6.9 billion over the first decade which could be used for schools, roads and highways, 80 percent said they supported it.
• When told the PCS would ensure that 100 percent of legitimately injured patients would receive compensation compared to less than 20 percent under the current system, 80 percent said they supported it.
• When told that PCS would allow patients to keep 100 percent of their compensation compared to less than 50 percent under the current legal system, 80 percent supported it.

"Georgians obviously see the current system isn't working and another model is needed that not only brings down healthcare costs but is fairer to injured patients," McLaughlin said.