Government
Ohio passes liability insurance market backup plan
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 26, 2004
A new Ohio law lays the groundwork for the state insurance director to establish a safety net in case the medical liability insurance market collapses.
Ohio Gov. Bob Taft signed the bill into law April 12. It allows for a Medical Liability Underwriting Assn. to provide physicians with primary insurance coverage if the already ailing market worsens, said Ohio State Medical Assn. President William C. Sternfeld, MD. The bill transfers $12 million from the now-defunct Ohio Joint Underwriting Assn. to fund a new underwriting association or any other medical liability insurance initiatives that the Ohio Legislature passes. The old underwriting association became inactive in 1980 but has had to keep reserves for any outstanding claims.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/04/26/gvbf0426.htm.