If you read one thing today…

Is this what a to-do list looks like for a doctor who has been sued for medical malpractice: 1) Run for Congress, 2) Get elected, 3) Introduce bill that would sharply cut the limit on malpractice awards?

Well, that’s what seemed to happen for Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.), who introduced a House bill would punish medical malpractice victims and protect negligent players in the health industry.

Gingrey was involved in a $500,000 settlement of a malpractice lawsuit for failing to failed to properly diagnose a woman’s appendicitis.

Gingrey’s proposed legislation, the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare Act of 2011 (H.R. 5), would, among other things, limit damages for pain and suffering in malpractice cases to $250,000.

The bill is being marked up today in the House Judiciary Committee. Stay tuned for our comments later today on the markup.