![]() Bob Taft (R) is expected to sign the bill into law. Ohio: The Ohio Senate last week voted 19-11 along party lines in favor of a Republican-sponsored tort reform bill, hours after the House voted 65-32 in favor of the legislation, the Dayton Daily News reports.Meanwhile, the Post reports that Ehrlich has stated that he is "actively engaged" in efforts to address Maryland's malpractice problems, contrary to some state lawmakers' beliefs (Wagner, Washington Post, 12/12). He called prospects for a special session of the state Legislature - which would be called by Ehrlich if the negotiators can agree on a reform proposal - "dim." However, Ehrlich aide Donald Hogan said the governor has not focused on the options for delay because he still is hopeful that he, Busch and Miller can reach an agreement in time to hold a special session before the end of the year (Wagner, Washington Post, 12/14). Miller said delaying the increase would allow doctors enough time to decide on a course of action when lawmakers convene for their regular session in January. At that point, the amount of the increase could be adjusted to reflect action taken - or not taken - by the state Legislature. ![]() Birrane's proposed delay tactics - some of which have not been tested legally - included the state insurance commissioner prohibiting the increase from taking effect until a later date. Medical Mutual's increase was approved in the fall, and the more than 75% of state doctors insured by the company were scheduled to make their first increased payment on Dec. 26 memo to Ehrlich identified several steps that could delay a 33% increase in malpractice premiums by the Medical Mutual Liability Society of Maryland. Assistant Attorney General Kathleen Birrane in a Nov. Robert Ehrlich (R), who has been negotiating for two months with state House Speaker Michael Busch (D) and state Senate President Thomas Miller (D) over medical malpractice reform legislation, has decided not to pursue legal options for delaying an increase in malpractice premiums in the state in favor of broader reform, the Washington Post reports. They keep increasing the insurance rates, and people can't afford to practice." The insurance commission must approve American Casualty's request before the rate increase goes into effect (Griggs, Baton Rouge Advocate, 12/11). She said, "It's the same thing with the docs. These higher costs could drive some nurse practitioners out of business, Nickens said, adding that the loss of providers could hurt state efforts to improve access to care in rural areas of Louisiana. Self-employed nurse practitioners would face a 75% increase, and nurse practitioner students would see a 180.9% increase. According to the Advocate, nurse practitioners employed by a hospital, clinic or other provider would see a 41.8% increase in malpractice insurance costs under the new premium rate. Earlier this week, Joni Nickens, president of the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners, said that the group opposes the proposed increase, which comes on top of a 17.4% increase by the company in 2002. The increase would affect 6,769 nurse practitioners, pharmacists, licensed practical nurses and nursing students. Louisiana: Pennsylvania-based American Casualty Company has filed a request with the Louisiana Insurance Rating Commission for an overall medical malpractice insurance premium rate increase of 29.4% for providers in the state, the Baton Rouge Advocate reports.Summaries of the developments appear below. Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report Examines Developments Related to Malpractice in Three States Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report features recent developments related to medical malpractice insurance in three states. ![]()
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