The recently passed health care bill contains many provisions that deserve celebration. Improving access to care is an important first step. Enhancing patient safety and accountability is an important second step, one that proponents of medical malpractice reform often undermine with attempts to restrict the liability of health care providers through litigation alternatives. During the health care debate, these advocates frequently raised liability issues (couched in politicized rhetoric), despite studies that show civil litigation is protecting patient safety in the health care system now and will continue to play a significant role in the future.