In a time of economic recession, Congress is advocating for budget cuts and other types of reform in order to stabilize the economy and create more jobs for thousands of Americans. But in trying to create more jobs for the numerous unemployed people, some reforms seem to create heated controversy regarding the effects implementation of specific reforms would have on U.S. citizens. Medical malpractice reform, embodied in The Medical Care Access Protection Act, is one such reform. The act reads as follows:

Medical Malpractice Reform – (S. 197 – The Medical Care Access Protection Act)

Medical malpractice abuse in the US health care system is out of control. Junk lawsuits drive up the cost of health care and the system must be reformed. Reform Medical Malpractice law based on Texas "stacked caps" to improve patient access to health care and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system.

Drafters of the reform and its supporters stipulate that this sort of tort reform would improve patient access to healthcare by increasing the number of doctors nationwide and decreasing the burdensome costs of healthcare. Those opposing this act, however, find these claims unsubstantiated and argue that in placing such restrictions on health care liability, the Medical Care Access Protection Act creates numerous problems for U.S. citizens.

Medical malpractice reform, according to those against this act, does not take into account the detrimental effects this reform would have on citizens injured by medical malpractice. Surely, they argue, we cannot sacrifice the health and lives of victims of medical malpractice in order to bolster our economic standings. There must be other ways to emerge from this recession and create more jobs without overlooking the rights and privileges of the injured and those family members or friends also affected by acts of medical malpractice. It is inconclusive whether or not the Medical Care Access Protection Act will create more jobs if passed, but opponents seem convinced that this act will sacrifice rights Americans are awarded in the 7^th and 10^th Amendments, rights that can not and should not be undermined.