Recent News
Measures On Medical Suits, Casinos Nixed; Medical Marijuana Upheld
The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday struck ballot issues on medical lawsuits and casinos from the Nov. 8 ballot and upheld a ballot issue to legalize medical marijuana. The decisions were announced in four separate opinions, all unanimous. Medical lawsuits In two...
Athletic Trainer Bill Passes in House, Moves to Senate
Athletic trainers and sports medicine professionals are closer to receiving liability insurance protection while providing care to their athletes out of state. On Monday night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act (H.R....
Liability suit seeks change to informed consent
A case before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania could have major implications on how physicians obtain informed consent prior to a surgery. At stake in Shinal v. Toms, is whether a patient’s informed consent to surgery can be predicated on information provided in part...
The healthcare policy changes spine surgeons would make
Here three surgeons discuss the policy changes they would make to improve the current healthcare industry landscape. Ask Spine Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to spine surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting...
13-Years Post-Liability Reform, Texas Hits Another Record in New Physician Applications
Texas continues to be an attractive place to practice medicine. The state's medical board finished is fiscal year last month having received a record number of new physician applications. Some 5,544 new applications were received, up 3% from the previous year's record...
Government Policies May Drive Doctor Shortages in Unhealthiest States
State medical boards, government-protected monopolies, and jackpot juries could be keeping doctors out of Arkansas and Mississippi. Two of the country’s unhealthiest populations live in states experiencing extreme doctor shortages, according to reports by two...
Q&A: Physicians regard legal system as broken, says Doctors Co. CEO
Dr. Richard Anderson, CEO of the Doctors Co., a physician-owned medical malpractice insurer, was named chairman of PIAA, the insurance industry trade association that represents medical professional liability insurance companies and risk retention groups. The former...
Challenge to medical liability law could complicate pre-suit process
A medical liability case, even if successful, can cause financial, emotional and reputational harm to a physician—and also to the patient who brings the suit. A 2013 amendment to the Florida Medical Liability Act, which requires the plaintiff to release relevant...
New law will limit lawsuits on Texas doctors
A medical malpractice lawsuit filed by a New Mexico patient against a Texas doctor could have disrupted care for patients throughout the state, said state Rep. Terry McMillan, R-Las Cruces. Legislation sponsored by McMillan that takes effect Friday will temporarily...
Medical Liability Reform
The nation’s medical liability system is broken, and it has imperiled patient access and imposed tremendous costs on our nation. The current system has forced doctors out of practicing in certain specialties; it has caused trauma centers to close; and it has forced...