Ann Callis knows Madison County’s court system has taken mighty public knocks, from President Bush branding it an example of medical malpractice litigation run amok to a special-interest group calling the venue a “judicial hellhole.” As the county’s chief judge, Callis didn’t let such image-tarnishing depictions drive the reforms she’s pushed. But she’s got new […]

NCPA Report Suggests Reform to Benefit Doctors and Patients http://www.ncpa.org The nation’s medical malpractice system should be replaced by a system that automatically compensates patients for unexpected injuries or deaths, regardless of who is at fault, according to a new report from the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA). The NCPA report says the key […]

By E.B. SOLOMONT Staff Reporter of the Sun http://www.nysun.com/ Fed up with the state’s medical malpractice insurance crisis, some New York City doctors are airing televised messages in their waiting rooms that warn patients of a looming physician shortage. One 60-second spot describes a scarcity of radiologists in the Bronx who are willing to perform […]

The Insurance professionals only source for News The state’s insurance commissioner and its largest malpractice insurer today announced that the insurer will cut premiums by 8 percent for next year and return $84 million to the state. In addition to the rate cut, Medical Mutual Liability Insurance Society of Maryland will distribute $13.8 million in […]

Two Pennsylvania payers say their merger will slash costs and reduce uninsured rolls, but some providers remain jittery over decreased insurer competition. http://www.healthleadersmedia.com Pennsylvania’s two largest health insurers are on track to merge by next fall, creating a mega-company that would control more than 53 percent of the state’s health insurance market and, the companies […]

By JILIAN MINCER http://online.wsj.com Several health-insurance companies have recently agreed to improve their existing or planned ratings of physicians. But consumers shouldn’t rely on such reports alone when picking a doctor. Also consider personal referrals and a doctor’s experience and education. Ratings by some insurers have come under fire for giving top scores to doctors […]

BY SUSAN K. LIVIO Star-Ledger Staff http://www.nj.com Nearly 1,200 checks are in the mail to help obstetricians, neurosurgeons and radiologists afford their medical malpractice insurance and keep them practicing in New Jersey, Banking and Insurance Commissioner Steven Goldman announced yesterday. The state’s Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance Premium Assistance fund is doling out $16.4 million to […]

http://www.clarionledger.com # The state Supreme Court reversed a $6.5 million jury award against a nursing home and its parent company Mariner Health Care Inc. The case involved a severely mentally retarded man whose health deteriorated. Intravenous feeding wasn’t ordered until his final hospitalization on Feb. 2, 2002. He died 14 days later from cardiac arrest […]

http://canadianpress.google.com TORONTO – A large proportion of doctors under 40 are billing the health-care system for less than what a “full-time equivalent” doctor would bill, an analysis of fee-for-service payments to doctors suggests. Three-quarters of female doctors under 40 fall into this category, and half of male doctors under 40, the report released Thursday by […]