Rendell calls for volatile, but necessary, mix on task force
When Gov.-elect Ed Rendell raises his hand to swear the oath of office in January, he wants a report in his pocket that will begin to resolve the medical malpractice crisis facing Pennsylvania. It’s a smart move and should be a welcome sign to doctors, patients, lawyers and the insurance industry. All four segments have been at odds over the growing crisis that has driven medical malpractice insurance so high that some physicians are faced with quadrupled bills. Fayette County has lost orthopedic specialists because of it and a few obstetricians who no longer deliver babies.
The insurance industry and doctors blame an increase in the number of malpractice lawsuits, skyrocketing jury awards and greedy lawyers. Lawyers claim that there isn’t any increase and that insurance companies (nine that no longer write premiums for Pennsylvania doctors, leaving just three companies) lost substantial sums with the market downturn and are gouging doctors. It all boils down to patients turning up the losers with fewer area doctors and the potential for quick fixes that limit their rights to sue and puts caps on awards.
Rather than allow the finger-pointing and lack of real reform to fester any longer, Rendell has pulled together a task force that includes doctors, hospital executives, insurers, trial lawyers and patient advocates. Villanova law professor Abraham Gafni was charged with the task of chairing this diverse group and coming up with a plan that will correct the problem and one that all can abide by. They face a Jan. 20 deadline.
It’s a tough challenge that our new governor is willing to confront head-on and quickly. He is taking a sensible approach in requiring those with a stake in the outcome to arbitrate the solution.