The Bush Administration received promising news Wednesday in the debate over tort reform when the House Judiciary Committee approved a bill that would cap medical malpractice awards. Tort reform has become a major issue in the medical and legal community over the last six months as physicians and trial lawyers have battled over rising insurance premiums.

Doctors, supported by Republicans, allege multimillion-dollar judgments have forced colleagues as well as hospitals out of business. High-risk medical professionals, such as neurosurgeons and obstetricians, can reportedly pay over $200,000 a year in malpractice insurance. But Democrats and trial lawyers argue that caps are unfair to victims of medical malpractice and will only "pad the pockets of insurance companies."

The bill, which aims to cap pain and suffering awards at $250,000 and punitive damages at twice the amount of economic damages, is in its early stages. It still needs approval from the House Energy and Commerce Committee before it moves to a full House vote. The Senate has rejected similar bills numerous times since 1995.