ARCHIVED
VIDEO WEBCAST
Doctors for Medical Liability Reform News Conference
National Press Club, Washington, D.C.
Originally broadcast live on Tuesday, February 10, 2004
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The Organization
Doctors
for Medical Liability Reform (DMLR) exists to promote passage of federal
medical liability reform legislation that includes a cap on non-economic
damages awarded in medical liability cases. This legislation will not
limit economic compensation awarded for lost income, inability to work,
long-term care or medical expenses. Representing over 230,000 specialty
physicians, DMLR's membership currently includes:
Neurosurgeons
to Preserve Health Care Access
American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American College of Emergency Physicians
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
American College of Surgeons Professional Association
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American College of Cardiology
American Academy of Dermatology Association
National Association of Spine Specialists
American Urological Association
The Issue
Escalating jury awards and the high cost of defending against lawsuits
- even frivolous ones - are driving medical liability insurance premium
increases nationwide, with devastating results for millions of Americans.
Skyrocketing medical liability insurance premiums are forcing doctors
to limit services, retire early or move their practice to a state with
liability reforms in place, creating vast areas across America where
patients no longer have access to critical healthcare services. At least
19 states are currently experiencing a medical liability crisis. Of
the remaining states, 25 have the potential to be deemed "in crisis."
Only six states - California, Colorado, Indiana, Louisiana, New Mexico,
and Wisconsin - are considered stable; the common denominator is that
all six have instituted some type of tested and proven reform.
The Initiative
The DMLR's Protect Patients Now initiative seeks to educate and inform
patients, physicians, business leaders and legislators about the destructive
effects that this crisis is having on our nation's healthcare and our
national economy. States that are facing serious healthcare and economic
crises will be highlighted throughout the initiative.
The
Speakers
Gail Rosseau, M.D., Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch
Stewart Dunsker, M.D., Neurosurgeons to Preserve Health Care Access
Stuart Weinstein, M.D., American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Angela Gardner, M.D., American College of Emergency Physicians
Kristine Guleserian, M.D., The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Kurt Newman, M.D., American College of Surgeons Professional Association
Mary Ann Millar, M.D., American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists
Jerry Kennett, M.D., American College of Cardiology
Susan Taylor, M.D., American Academy of Dermatology Association