Much has been said lately about the need for health care reform in America.

But much of the debate misses the underlying causes for the illness of our health care system.

Many of the proposals look to wipe the nose rather than attack the underlying infection.

Many in Congress appear to be focusing on symptoms, not curing the disease.

Part of that disease has particular meaning to local area physicians — many of who were at the heart of the tort reform debate in Mississippi several years ago.

Prior to the landmark tort reform movement in Mississippi that culminated in the 2004 passage of sweeping tort reform laws, Mississippi was a trial lawyer’s dream.

Our state had the most liberal laws and court systems with virtually no restrictions on damages.

The result was that our physicians had to dole out huge doses of defensive (cover my rear end) medicine just to avoid being sued. But that wasn’t enough. Physicians were paying exorbitant malpractice insurance premiums.

All of that drove the costs of medicine up and despite better laws, the problems still exist and weigh heavy on the health care system.

As our nation continues to debate how we might improve our health care system and reduce costs, we’d be wise to talk to a few local physicians who have seen first-hand how tort reform can affect both patient care and patient costs.

Until then, the health care debate is simply offering a tissue to someone who needs an antibiotic.