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AMA calls for DC medical liability reform

Credentialing Resource Center Connection, December 15, 2005

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The American Medical Association called on the Washington, DC city council to put a stop to the district's growing medical premiums, and a problem that is damaging patients' access to healthcare and forcing physicians to leave the area.

"One in five physicians surveyed in the District say they plan to stop practicing or have already stopped practicing because of rising medical liability insurance rates," said AMA Trustee Robert McMillan.

According to the AMA, increased premiums are forcing physicians away from high risk procedures or into retirement. Washington, DC and 24 states are bordering on a medical crisis, AMA analysts warned.

Some states have made moves towards medical liability reforms, such as California, which has set a quarter-million dollar cap on non-economic damages in order to stabilize premiums and protect patient access to physicians, said McMillan.

"The bottom line: Without action by the city council, the district's patients continue to bear the burden of the city's medical liability problem," said McMillan.

For the AMA's official statement, see www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/15783.html

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