Rising health care expenses and unreasonable lawsuits create some of the “hidden” costs that hurt the competitiveness of the Louisiana business community.

Quantify the impact of health care costs on all of us
We all want a healthier and more productive population in Louisiana, yet no matter how much money we put into the system, Louisiana is consistently rated as an “unhealthy” state. All of us are affected as health care costs continue to rise, resulting in significant increases in employee benefit costs. Louisiana’s image as an unhealthy state hinders our ability to compete for expansions and to bring in highly skilled employees as needed. And, an unhealthy population is often blamed on the chemical industry’s presence in Louisiana although study after study disproves this accusation.

Support science-based health care studies
Support science-based health care studies and promote the information about lifestyle. Address the high cost of health care in Louisiana by working to reduce frivolous medical lawsuits. Work to provide better health care to the poor by putting less money into buildings and more money into patient care, particularly in the areas of screening, early detection and preventive medicine.

Lower legal defense expenses
Make sure people know the harm Tulane Environmental Law Clinic (TELC) has caused. Publicize the effect that lawsuits which are brought by clients represented by TELC have on the economy.

Continue efforts to prevent lawsuit abuse and to enact class action lawsuit reform. Examine tort reforms in competing states (i.e. Texas) to assure Louisiana has a competitive business climate.

Support amicus briefs
Amicus Briefs provide the court with broader insight into how a particular case may impact other institutions and companies in addition to the specific litigants involved.

Enact federal asbestos reform
Asbestos reform should ensure that injured parties are compensated and receive medical treatment/assistance as needed while removing frivolous claims from the litigation process.