Newspapers Examine Medical Malpractice Reform Efforts In Three States

Main Category: Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Also Included In: Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 19 Sep 2007 - 12:00 PST

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Several newspapers reported on recent medical malpractice developments in several states. Summaries of the articles appear below.

• Connecticut: Physicians in Connecticut might pay lower premiums for malpractice insurance in 2008 because some insurers took action to reduce premiums and another wants to enter the market, the Hartford Courant reports. Connecticut Medical Insurance Company on Wednesday said that its base rates are not changing for 2008 and that it will increase credits given to physicians who have not had claims filed against them for at least five years, meaning their premiums might be reduced. Medical Protective's 24% rate cut was approved by state regulators and took effect Aug. 1. ProMutual Group is not planning any rate hikes in the state this year. Meanwhile, Professional Liability Insurance Company of America -- which sells malpractice insurance in Missouri, Illinois and Texas -- has expressed interest in expanding into Connecticut, which could increase competition, according to the Courant (Levick, Hartford Courant, 9/13).
  
  
• Maryland: The Maryland Insurance Administration on Thursday blocked a plan by the state's largest malpractice insurer, Medical Mutual Liability Insurance Society of Maryland, to pay a nearly $69 million dividend, saying it will hold a hearing to determine how much money should go to the state and how much to policyholders, the Baltimore Sun reports. Maryland Insurance Commissioner Ralph Tyler on Thursday said that the state paid almost $80 million to subsidize the company's premiums since a four-year program was enacted less than three years ago to address increasing premium rates. He said the dividend calls into question whether the program was necessary. The hearing is scheduled for Oct. 5 (Smith Hopkins, Baltimore Sun, 9/14).
  
  
• Mississippi: Medical Assurance Company of Mississippi, the state's largest malpractice insurer, on Sept. 5 decided to cut premiums by 15.5% in 2008, bringing the company's rates down 45% since 2004, the Jackson Clarion-Ledger reports. Gov. Haley Barbour (R), whose 2003 campaign had tort reform as a focus, announced the reduction on Wednesday, saying, "It's made a difference. Doctors are staying in the state. Doctors are going back to delivering babies. Doctors are no longer afraid to do emergency surgery." Mississippi Association of Justice President Joey Diaz said that Barbour is taking credit for 2002 tort reform work by former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove (D). However, Randy Easterling, chair of the Mississippi State Medical Association, said Barbour's plan has had a larger effect on the rates (Hipp, Jackson Clarion-Ledger, 9/13).

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