请教OG-SC-101

zjcnxiao

101. Even though the direct costs of malpractice disputes amounts to a sum lower than one percent of the $541 billion the nation spent on health care last year, doctors say fear of lawsuits plays a major role in health-care inflation.

这里的COSTS 是指MALPRACTICE 还是MALPRACTICE DISPUTES？其中的disputes是什么意思？百思不得其解，请大家指教。谢谢。

tongxun

是malpractice disputes 。disputes：争议、争端。
在美国卫生医疗法中，关于医疗事故的处理方案中有提及。