• E-mail
• Print
• RSS

AMA testifies on liability reform

Credentialing Resource Center Connection, February 24, 2005

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Credentialing Resource Center Connection!

The American Medical Association (AMA) testified on February 17 before the U.S. House Committee on Small Business to stress the urgent need for reform in the nation's medical liability system, which is currently threatening patient access to health care.

"Common-sense medical liability reforms work," said former AMA president Donald J. Palmisano, MD, in testimony. "Polls show that about 73 percent of Americans support medical liability reforms that include a cap on non-economic damages; the subjective award for pain and suffering."

Medical liability reform is currently at the top of the AMA's legislative priority list. Currently, 20 states are experiencing full-blown medical liability crisis, and 24 states are facing a potential crisis. The AMA reform proposal includes a $250,000 cap on non-economic (pain and suffering) damages, with an unlimited allowance for economic damages such as medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and lost wages.

The AMA reform model is based on California's successful system, which has maintained patient access to care and stabilized medical liability insurance premiums for 30 years. Today, because of the nation's hyperactive lawsuit culture, the average ob-gyn is sued two to three times a year and 50 percent of neurosurgeons are sued every year.

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Credentialing Resource Center Connection!

• E-mail to a Colleague
• Print
• RSS
• Archive