Government
Ohio malpractice panel issues report
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 5, 2004
Ohio needs a screening process to weed out meritless medical malpractice suits, a patient compensation fund to help physicians pay high awards and a medical liability underwriting authority to ensure that physicians have insurance if the climate worsens, according to the state's Medical Malpractice Commission.
In a report issued in March, the commission, which the state Legislature created in 2003, also called for the collection of data such as names, costs and outcomes from the major liability insurance companies in the state.
"These measures will help provide a solid framework where physicians not only have access to coverage, but affordable coverage as well," said D. Brent Mulgrew, the Ohio State Medical Assn.'s executive director and a commission member.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/04/05/gvbf0405.htm.
