Bush faults blocking of bid to limit awards

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- President Bush blamed trial lawyers and Senate Democrats yesterday for blocking his proposal to limit medical malpractice awards, kicking off a week that will take him to three states important to his reelection chances. Bush escaped snowy Washington for relatively balmy Little Rock, where he told a friendly crowd of medical workers at Baptist Health Medical Center that legislation to cap jury awards would help rein in rising health care costs.

"The problem is some in the United States Senate don't see it that way," Bush said. Senate Democrats derailed the bill last year, arguing that the legislation would benefit insurers, not patients.