By DAN WALLACH, The Enterprise http://www.southeasttexaslive.com Lawsuit reforms in Texas since 1995 have helped lead to $1.75 billion in local investment and creation of more than 8,300 permanent jobs, an economic analysis released Monday said. A group called Texans for Lawsuit Reform Foundation sent out the analysis by Waco-based economist M. Ray Perryman. In his […]

By T.M. Shultz, The Daily Courier http://www.dcourier.com/ The president of the company that insures about 90 percent of Arizona’s doctors against medical malpractice says he can understand the frustrations of family practice physicians. “It’s extremely difficult for physicians today to meet the financial needs of their practices,” said Dr. James Carland, president of Mutual Insurance […]

By MARSHA SHULER http://www.2theadvocate.com/ The House of Representatives watered down, then killed, legislation Monday to expand coverage under the state’s medical malpractice laws. House Bill 70 by Rep. Greg Cromer, R-Slidell, died when 44 representatives voted for it while 45 representatives voted against it. Fifty-three votes are needed for passage. Sixteen House member didn’t vote. […]

By James Arvantes http://www.aafp.org Two members of the Senate Finance Committee have announced that they are working on legislation to address payment issues for primary care physicians. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chair of the Senate Finance Committee, is expected to introduce legislation in the next several weeks that will increase Medicare payments for primary care physicians, […]

By JIM SALTER/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS http://www.columbiamissourian.com/ CREVE COEUR — Missouri is seeing the benefits of medical lawsuit restrictions passed nearly three years ago, Gov. Matt Blunt said today. But critics say the law is keeping many people, especially the elderly and needy, from getting justice for medical mishaps. Blunt said that since the liability lawsuit […]

http://www.northcountrygazette.org/ ALBANY—Governor David A. Paterson applauded the work of New York’s hospitals this week and called them critical partners in continuing the State’s push to improve access to quality and preventive health care. During remarks to the Greater New York Hospital Association’s (GNYHA) Annual Meeting in New York City, the Governor said that New York […]

By Derrick DePledge http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com Working under a tight budget, state House and Senate lawmakers have tentatively agreed to appoint a working group to study ways to lure doctors to rural and underserved areas. The group would discuss the idea of a student loan repayment program this year and report to lawmakers next year on how […]

By Halimah Abdullah http://www.macon.com/ Macon physician Harvey Jones makes less than $60,000 a year, drives a 14-year-old Cadillac and says continued cuts to Medicare reimbursements to physicians mean he is unable to afford medical insurance for himself or his employees. “All I do is pray. I try to take care of myself. I buy my […]

by The Times-Picayune http://www.nola.com/  The Louisiana Medical Mutual Insurance Company, a medical malpractice insurer, will pay a $10.5 million dividend to qualifying policyholders during the second quarter of 2008, LAMMICO President/CEO Thomas H. Grimstad, M.D. announced. This is the first time in LAMMICO’s 26-year history that the company will return a dividend to its policyholders. […]