Profession
Mass. residents worry about liability crisis
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 28, 2004
Among 400 Massachusetts voters recently surveyed, 73% said they believe medical liability insurance continues to be a major problem or crisis. In addition, 85% said they would support legislation that assessed medical malpractice damages based on each person's level of responsibility.
The poll also found:
- 92% believe medical doctors are important to the state's economy.
- 69% favor limits on noneconomic damages when patients are fully compensated for economic damages.
- 66% believe physicians are leaving Massachusetts because the work environment for them is a serious or very serious problem.
- 62% believe doctors' medical liability insurance premiums are too high.
- 57% believe patients bring too many lawsuits against physicians.
The McCormack School at the University of Massachusetts-Boston's survey has a plus or minus 5% error, with a 95% confidence level.
At press time, Massachusetts was one of 25 states the American Medical Association lists as showing signs of a medical liability insurance crisis.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/06/28/prbf0628.htm.
Copyright © 2004 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
