Every year, medical mistakes cost the U.S. a staggering amount of money. Medical errors accounted for more than $19.5 billion in 2008, according to a study commissioned by the Society of Actuaries.

The report reveals that there were 1.5 million medical errors made that wasted a significant amount of time and money and resulted in not providing optimal care for patients.

"Of the $19.5 billion in total costs, approximately $17 billion was the result of providing inpatient, outpatient and prescription drug services to individuals who were affected by medical errors," said MBA Actuaries managing director Jim Toole. "While this cost is staggering, it also highlights the need to reduce errors and improve quality and efficiency in American healthcare."

Fortunately, there are things people can do to help prevent medical errors from taking place. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that patient involvement has been shown to yield more positive care. Furthermore, they recommend that people select to have procedures performed at hospitals that specialize in the treatment they need whenever the option is available from their health insurance company.

Healthcare reform hasn't won over some doctors and health care professionals in San Diego. This past weekend, hundreds of health care workers converged on Harbor Island for "The National Doctor's Tea Party" to protest "ObamaCare," reports ABC affiliate KGTV.

Those who are against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act believe that patients will ultimately suffer because of the law. Under healthcare reform, all Americans will be required to have health insurance begging in 2014. Protester Dr. Adam Dorin told KGTV that he believes "ObamaCare" will prevent him from providing care to his patients.

"Quality is going to go down; it's going to get more difficult," Dorin told the news station. "We're going to have more people in the system with quality of care probably not what it is today."

The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, an organization that promotes the tea parties, say that requiring people to purchase health insurance is unconstitutional. The organization asserts that the new regulations will place them under tighter oversight by insurance companies and stifle innovation by doctors.