News in brief - June 2/9, 2003

Pa. liability premium plan does not fit all - Supreme Court gives go-ahead to Maine drug program

Pa. liability premium plan does not fit all

A proposal by Pennsylvania trial lawyers that calls for physicians in all specialties to pay the same liability insurance rates isn't sitting well with many of the state's doctors.

The Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Pennsylvania College of Internal Medicine are taking their concerns to lawmakers and Gov. Edward G. Rendell. The groups say primary care physicians can't afford to absorb the extra premium cost.

"It is totally inappropriate to place family physicians in the same liability category as neurosurgeons," said Rosalie R. Snyder, MD, an Allentown family physician. "That would be like a smoker and a nonsmoker sharing the same life insurance rate, or like a driver with 10 accidents paying the same auto insurance premium as a driver with no accidents."

Supreme Court gives go-ahead to Maine drug program

In a case watched closely by states struggling with prescription drug costs, the U.S. Supreme Court on May 19 said Maine can continue with its drug program, at least for now. The plan requires pharmaceutical companies to offer discounts for residents who do not qualify for Medicaid.

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court lifted an injunction against the Maine Rx program. The case now returns to the federal trial court.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, which brought the suit, argued the program would interfere with Medicaid.