There are several recent articles in Missouri media that touch on the courts, which is particularly appropriate given the recent arguments I have had with some trial lawyer friends about the success (or failure) or tort reform in Missouri. (Here's a hint, it's been a success.)

First of all, Missourinet has an audio story about our recently released study of judicial selection (link via Mr. Combest). Check it out if you can. Next, the Washington Examiner has an article about tort reform success across America that mentions Missouri as an example. According to the article:

Since the reforms became law, the number of medical insurance companies in Texas increased from four to more than 30. Malpractice insurance premiums fell by as much as 31 percent.

This dovetails nicely with last month's Missouri articles discussing insurance premium reductions for doctors, which we blogged about here at SMI.

I think the facts are pretty clear. Our judicial selection system is a good one for our state, although I believe small improvements can still be made to it (our study focused on the big picture and admitted minor changes could be either helpful or harmful). I discussed some of those minor changes last year. Even more importantly though, the tort system had gotten out of whack, however we pick our judges with the "Missouri Plan." Our tort system -particularly the venue laws — needed some major changes, and they got them. Those changes have benefited our economy and our health care system. Now, unless some Law & Order twist happens in the next few seconds (like St. Luke's Hospital announcing they are moving to St. Clair County, Ill.), I declare this post closed.