punitive damages are not for medical mistakes but knowingly cutting corners to make money. Denying benefits that are allowed under the contract. Not informing a patient of an allowed treatment just to make more money. Etc. Without unlimited damage say a cap at 500k the HMO says OK if I fsck with 2000 people, only get noticed 25 times, settle with 22 of them and pay the 500k cap and I can still make money. If you do not think they operate that way you would be wrong. Unlimited punitive damages are scary because if they get caught and go to trial without settlement they could be bankrupt. This is also part of the marketplace of Capitalism.
thanx,
bill