Voters in four states were given the opportunity to adopt medical liability reform initiatives. In Florida, a constitutional amendment was passed to limit attorney contingency fees, although two attorney-sponsored amendments were also passed. The first requires the release of reports of medical mistakes to patients who request them, and the second strips the medical license from physicians who are found guilty of three or more incidents of malpractice. Lawsuits have already been filed to challenge these amendments, but it may be a while before the dust finally settles on their eventual outcomes.

Nevada voters "kept their doctors in Nevada" by passing a constitutional amendment to remove exceptions to the state's cap on noneconomic damages. Two trial attorney-supported amendments that would have diluted liability reforms currently in Nevada statute were defeated.

Wyoming voters split their vote on two constitutional amendments by approving a measure to permit the legislature to take up the issue of medical review panels in malpractice cases. They did not support efforts to allow the state legislature to consider caps on noneconomic damages. And in Oregon, a constitutional amendment to reinstitute a $500,000 cap on noneconomic damages lost by a razor-thin margin of less than one percent.

Propositions are a common regular feature of California's ballot, and this year's election did not disappoint. Voters approved Proposition 71, a measure to provide $3 billion in funding over 10 years for embryonic stem cell research. They also defeated two other health care-related measures: Proposition 67, an increase in the telephone tax to support trauma and emergency care; and Proposition 72, a requirement that employers provide health insurance for their employees.

Eleven states elected governors last week, and 44 states held elections for state legislators. Overall, Republicans were successful in winning four of the 11 governors' races, with Democrats winning six. Washington State continued to be in play with the Democratic candidate holding a slight lead. Overall, Republicans have control of 28 governorships, with Democrats holding on to 21. 

In state legislative races, Democrats experienced gains in Colorado, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington State. Republicans achieved victories in Georgia, Oklahoma, and Tennessee statehouses.