Controlling the Cost of Malpractice Insurance

Controlling the Cost of Malpractice Insurance

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Story Published: Dec 18, 2003 at 4:34 PM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:22 AM PDT

By Keith Eldridge

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OLYMPIA - Dr. William Hurley is dealing with an emergency patient while facing an emergency of his own. His medical malpractice insurance is about to be canceled.

Doctors all over Western Washington are facing the same fate. He says it's because the state has runaway medical malpractice insurance rates.

"So, the fact that I practice in Washington State and take care of people in Washington State will soon eliminate my ability to continue to practice medicine," said Dr. Hurley.

"And that's why we're introducing a proposal today (Thursday) designed to help improve the safety of medical patients and control the cost of malpractice insurance," said Governor Gary Locke.

The Governor unveiled a plan putting $10 million into increased Medicaid payments to doctors who deliver babies, and setting up a $10 million fund to cover excessive malpractice award costs.

One of the key proposals is to allow doctors and hospitals to tell a patient they made a mistake, to apologize and to offer a settlement without fear that that offer will later be used against them if it goes to court.

But the state medical association says the Governor's remedy doesn't go far enough. Dr. Maureen Callaghan of the Washington State Medical Association said, "It's a band aid rather than a fix and we're very disappointed with what they're offering."

The medical association says what's needed is a cap of $250,000 on how much a jury can award for the pain and suffering of patients and families.

State lawmakers will now be the ones to diagnose how best to keep the medical profession healthy.

Right now, doctors in our state are paying anywhere from $2,000 to $80,000 a year for malpractice insurance.

For More Information:

www.governor.wa.gov

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