David Leonhardt, a columnist at the New York Times, writes about the economic consequences of medical malpractice and waste in his latest column, The Economic Scene.

Leonhardt brings to surface many poignant points regarding what we physicians and payers call best practices of medicine. If we were to follow an overwhelmingly established and strictly adhered to set of protocols for cases, we might be able to elimintate excess waste and reduce costs in the overinflated cost of healthcare in the United States.

Leonhardt makes his argument based off of facts, rather than off of passionate political arguments. For example, he cites both the AMA and the lawyer's trial association which both state that about $60 billion a year is wasted within the healthcare industry.

That $60 billion is roughly three percent of the total sum of medical spending. Interestingly enough, only three percent of all medical cases are sought after as malpractice damages.

Does that mean we're making ado about mere pennies when it comes to covering up for malpractice fears?

To read the full article about malpractice and spending, click here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/business/economy/23leonhardt.html?_r=1&scp=6&sq=September+23+2009&st=nyt