Doctors to storm states for tort reform

The November 2004 elections changed the politics in some states.

By Tanya Albert, AMNews staff. Jan. 17, 2005.

Many doctors this year will return to places they've come to know well -- their state capitols.

With 2005 just under way, it's already shaping up to be another busy year for physicians trying to get their state lawmakers to enact tort reforms they believe will help stabilize the medical liability insurance market.

A $250,000 cap on noneconomic damages is one big item physicians believe is necessary to accomplish that.

While the insurance industry and some lawmakers -- predominately Republicans -- agree, trial lawyers and most Democrats have vigorously resisted caps. Opponents believe that insurance reform would do more to lower insurance rates.

The dynamic has made it difficult to pass tort reforms in many parts of the country in recent years. But doctors from coast to coast are again gearing up to fight for such laws.

Physicians in many states say something has to happen this year or more doctors will start retiring early, moving out of state or cutting back on high-risk procedures. That would hurt patients' access to care, they point out.

"The public has not yet complained about not being able to see a physician," said Timothy B. Norbeck, executive director of the Connecticut State Medical Society. "But once we get there, it will be too late."

The situation is similar in Illinois.

"This is going to be the make-it-or-break-it year, because I don't know how much more strain the system can take," said Illinois State Medical Society President Kenneth J. Printen, MD.