Malpractice system turmoil
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Senate leaders … promised that skyrocketing malpractice premiums will be addressed with a long-term solution …
Since 2002, the average payout for medical liability claims has increased from $382,000 to $505,000 in 2008, according to the Medical Society of the State of New York.
In 2008, New York had the highest number of paid claims (1,373) than any other state …
… Obstetricians have been hardest hit with premiums rising 68 percent between 2002 and 2008. An OB/GYN in the New York City area pays about $170,000 annually, while an upstate obstetrician pays $53,000.
Several task forces have been convened to address the rising premiums, but they failed to find a resolution because of friction between the medical community and trial lawyers …
Leaders in the medical community want to change the way the legal system works by instituting caps on non-economic jury awards, special courts for malpractice claims, protection of doctors’ personal assets, no-fault funds for babies born with neurological impairments, prescreening of lawsuits to eliminate frivolous suits, and legal immunity for doctors who apologize to patients.
… the focus should be on reducing medical errors, improving patient safety and removing bad doctors.
“Seven percent of physicians are responsible for 68 percent of medical malpractice payments” …
Those doctors should not be eligible for liability insurance and should be denied the privilege of practicing medicine …
Melissa Maimann, Essential Birth Consulting 0400 418 448
