John F. Kennedy, President Pro Tempore of the Georgia Senate, said that ending lawsuit abuse will stabilize costs for health care providers, job creators, and Georgia consumers. Kennedy made his statement during a Senate committee hearing on February 10.
"Ending lawsuit abuse will stabilize costs for health care providers, job creators and most importantly, Georgia consumers," said F. Kennedy.
According to a press release issued by Georgia Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy, Senate Bill 68, a significant tort reform measure he sponsored, has passed in the Senate. The bill aims to reduce excessive litigation, which Kennedy said is driving up costs for healthcare providers and businesses. He described the legislation as a crucial step toward improving Georgia’s legal climate and economic competitiveness. The bill now moves to the Georgia House for further consideration.
Kennedy makes his statement in a Feb. 10 committee hearing.
| X.com
On February 7, 2025, Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT) released a poll revealing that 72% of Georgia voters believe lawsuit abuse contributes to rising costs of goods and services. The survey found bipartisan agreement across Republicans (88%), Independents (64%), and Democrats (62%). Conducted by Public Opinion Strategies from February 2-5, 2025, it also found that 85% of voters believe it's important for the Legislature to address lawsuit abuse to eliminate hidden taxes on consumers. Additionally, 82% of individuals who have used personal injury lawyers support reforms to the current system.
A study released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform on January 24 indicated that rising tort costs in Georgia are placing a growing financial burden on households, driving up insurance premiums and the overall cost of living. In 2022, the state’s tort costs reached nearly $20 billion, averaging over $2,000 per household. These expenses stem from civil litigation, claim compensation, and administrative costs impacting both businesses and consumers.
According to InsuranceRateReporter.com on February 18, a survey by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) and Munich Re US found that plaintiff lawyer tactics such as third-party litigation funding (TPLF) and jury anchoring contribute to rising insurance costs. This results in an estimated $529 billion impact on the U.S. economy. The survey revealed that 69% of Americans believe these practices drive up insurance premiums while 86% support legal reforms to address these issues. However, a significant portion of respondents were unaware of these tactics; with 75% unfamiliar with jury anchoring and 70% not recognizing TPLF.
Senator John F. Kennedy was elected to the Georgia Senate in 2014 representing multiple counties including Crawford, Monroe, and parts of Bibb and Houston. He served as Governor Deal’s Floor Leader during his first term and was later elected Senate Majority Caucus Chairman for the 2017-2018 term. Kennedy currently serves as President Pro Tempore of the Georgia Senate.