(RALEIGH) -- A bill in the state Senate would overhaul North Carolina’s laws for medical malpractice lawsuits. The measure would limit verdicts to $250,000 for non-economic damages such as pain, suffering or emotional distress.

Bill co-sponsor Senator Bob Rucho said the proposal aims to reduce the practice of defensive medicine. "That's so critical because that adds about 20 to 25 percent conservatively to the cost of health care. One big step. Also, we're trying to make sure that the medical community can still practice in North Carolina," said Rucho.
 
The bill is not without its critics from the trial lawyers community and from some patient advocates. North Carolina Coalition for Patient Safety executive director Laurie Sanders said the bill will not do anything to reduce the rising cost of health care.  "The government doesn't seem to focus on that.  They seem to focus on the symptoms and sometimes not a real symptom like with the North Carolina situation, the symptoms of trying to reduce the expenses for the health care providers and for the insurance industry," said Sanders.

She added that the bill might reduce lawsuits but only because it would discourage lawyers from taking cases involving children and those who are not working.