Profession
Groups join forces on medical liability reform
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted July 20, 2009
Two medical liability reform coalitions are banding together to make sure the issue remains atop the list in the national debate on health system reform.
The Health Coalition on Liability and Access and Doctors for Medical Liability Reform announced a new partnership in June. The national advocacy organizations -- which together represent a broad coalition of patients, insurers, employers, doctors and other health care professionals and organizations -- plan to focus on lobbying for federal protections against lawsuit abuse, which physicians say contributes to defensive medicine practices and access shortages. The American Medical Association is an HCLA member.
"There is strong agreement from the president, and both Democrats and Republicans in Congress, that the current medical liability system does not work for patients," HCLA Chair Mike Stinson said in a statement. The new partnership will "ensure that health care reform addresses this important issue in a way that works for everyone, especially patients."
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/07/20/prbf0720.htm.
