Poll Reveals Stunning Impact of Fear of Litigation on Practice of Medicine; Results Announced By Coalition, Gingrich, McGovern

4/17/2002

From: Danielle Rhoades, 212-576-2700, ext. 229, danielle@goodmanmedia.com or Marthena Cowart, 202-628-2078, both for Common Good

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- At a press conference today, Common Good, a newly formed bipartisan coalition, announced the results of a national Harris Interactive(SM) survey, conducted exclusively for Common Good, which reveals the stunning impact of fear of litigation on the practice of medicine in the United States.

Among other things, the poll demonstrates that the overwhelming majority of physicians (83 percent) and hospital administrators (72 percent) do not feel that physicians can trust the current system of justice to achieve a reasonable result if sued. And, because of the resulting legal fear:

-- 79 percent of physicians acknowledge ordering more tests than they would based only on professional judgment of what is medically needed; -- 74 percent of physicians refer patients to specialists more often than they would based only on professional judgment of what is medically needed; -- 61 percent of physicians have noticed physicians being reluctant to make what they believe to be humane choices at patients' end of life because of concerns that a family member might bring suit; -- 51 percent of physicians suggest invasive procedures such as biopsies to confirm diagnoses more often than they would based only on their professional judgment of what is medically needed; -- 41 percent of physicians acknowledge prescribing more medications such as antibiotics than they would based only on their professional judgment of what is medically needed, and 73 percent have noticed other doctors prescribing similarly excessive medications.

There is also nearly unanimous agreement among physicians, nurses and hospital administrators that these extra tests, referrals and procedures contribute in a significant way to health care cost issues.

The poll involved interviews with 500 medical professionals including 300 physicians nationwide. The interviews were conducted by telephone as well as online, averaged 15 minutes in length and took place between March 4 and March 20, 2002.

Common Good has been formed to advocate reforms of America's legal system to restore trust in justice and purge the legal fear that is debilitating such institutions as hospitals and schools. The chair of the coalition is Philip K. Howard, author of The Death of Common Sense and The Collapse of the Common Good: How America's Lawsuit Culture Undermines Our Freedom.

Joining Howard at the press conference were Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; Eric Holder, former U.S. Deputy Attorney General; and Gordon Black, chairman and CEO of Harris Interactive, which conducted the poll. Participating in the event by phone were George McGovern, former U.S. Senator and Democratic Presidential Candidate; and Tom Kean, former Governor of New Jersey.

"Americans are losing their trust in justice," said Howard. "The common sense needed to run hospitals and classrooms has been replaced by legal fear."

"The data in this survey will greatly enhance public understanding of the issue of the impact of legal fear," said Gordon Black, chairman and CEO of Harris Interactive. "The issue is an important one, as none of us can escape the adverse effects that this fear produces."

The executive summary of the poll is available on Common Good's Web site, http://www.ourcommongood.org/. A hard copy of the summary, as well as the complete report of the poll, is also available from Common Good.

Common Good is a nonprofit 501c3 organization, funded primarily by individuals and private foundations. Its advisory board, which is still in formation, consists of nearly 30 renowned civic leaders prominent in government, healthcare, education, business and law. Among them are the former government officials who participated in today's press conference. Additional information about Common Good is available at www.ourcommongood.org.

Harris Interactive (Nasdaq: HPOL) is a worldwide market research and consulting firm, best known for The Harris Poll(r) and its pioneering use of the Internet to conduct scientifically accurate market research. Strengthened by its recent merger with Total Research Corporation, the Company now combines the power of technology with international expertise in predictive, custom, strategic research. Headquartered in the United States, with offices in the United Kingdom, Japan and a global network of local market and opinion research firms, the Company conducts international research with fluency in multiple languages. For more information about Harris Interactive, visit http://www.harrisinteractive.com/ or contact Nancy Wong, 585-214-7316.

For further information on Common Good or the poll, contact Danielle Rhoades at 212-576-2700, ext. 229 or danielle@goodmanmedia.com or Marthena Cowart at 202-628-2078.