Government
Pa. physicians call for medical liability relief
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 13, 2008
Pennsylvania physicians rallied at the state's Capitol in September urging lawmakers to preserve medical liability insurance relief to avoid access-to-care shortages.
The Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error program covers at least 50% of doctors' required $1 million coverage, in exchange for the physicians committing to practice in the state for at least one year.
The funding authorization for Mcare expired in June, leaving doctors responsible for the full cost of insurance. It was extended temporarily until November, but Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell has pledged not to renew the program unless the Legislature agrees to pass his plan to cover the uninsured. The Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care proposal is before the House.
The Pennsylvania Medical Society asked the governor and lawmakers to address the Mcare reauthorization independent of the uninsured issue. Physicians fear that without the relief, unaffordable insurance costs will continue to drive doctors out of state.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/10/13/gvbf1013.htm.
