Profession
Pa. governor says liability reforms are making an impact
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 14, 2005
Pointing to more affordable and available medical liability insurance as proof, Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell said tort reform efforts in the state are starting to take effect.
While the state's three largest medical liability insurers are keeping their rates flat, the surcharge physicians pay for the state-run Mcare fund will be reduced more than 25%, according to Rendell's office.
The improvements in the state's liability insurance market has meant that patients have health care available on a more consistent basis as well. The governor's office reported that the amount doctors pay into the Mcare surcharge has held constant at about $34,000 over the past few years.
Pennsylvania Medical Society spokesman Chuck Moran said that while the news is encouraging for doctors, liability rates still have not declined to a more affordable level. "The fact is, things aren't necessarily better until the rates come down," he said.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/11/14/prbf1114.htm.
