Government
Urging tort reform for the District
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Dec. 19, 2005
In Washington, D.C., physicians pressed for local tort reform at a recent "white coat" rally, sponsored by the Medical Society of the District of Columbia. Mayor Anthony Williams addressed more than 50 doctors gathered to support the Health Care Reform Act of 2005 on the morning of medical liability hearings at the D.C. City Council.
"Our medical malpractice insurance system in the District of Columbia is in fact on life support," Williams said. "Our doctors are paying the highest rates in the nation. Our patients are losing access, and our doctors are losing hope."
Damian Alagia, MD, an ob-gyn and MSDC president, spoke on behalf of the society's nearly 1,700 physician members. "The disturbing trend of doctors leaving must be reversed, and supporting Mayor Williams' legislation is the first step in that direction," Alagia said.
Other speakers included Walter Faggett, MD, president of the Medico Chirurgical Society, on behalf of minority physicians; Peter Lavine, MD, an orthopedic surgeon who was forced to move his practice out of Washington, D.C., because of high liability premiums; Edgar Potter, MD, medical staff president at Greater Southeast Community Hospital and a practicing rheumatologist; and John Herbert Niles, MD, an area ob-gyn. More information is online (link).
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/12/19/gvbf1219.htm.
