PRESS RELEASE

AMC/NOMA Heralds Senate Passage 
of Alternative Dispute Resolution Bill

Seven Ohio Counties Would Pilot Mandatory Arbitration of Medical Negligence Claims

The Academy of Medicine Cleveland/Northern Ohio Medical Association scored a major victory late Wednesday on behalf of its 4300 NE Ohio physician members when the state senate voted 23-10 to approve SB 88, the AMC/NOMA-backed legislation calling for an ADR process in the form of a mandatory arbitration pilot program intended to resolve medical negligence claims through a pre-trial panel review. An amendment extends the pilot to be tested in a total of seven Ohio counties: Cuyahoga, Summit, Lake, Geauga, Lorain, Erie and Huron.

"This vote is a triumph for the area's doctors and proof that our unified voice through the AMC/NOMA was heard loud and clear in Columbus," John Bastulli, MD, vice president of legislative affairs said. "Our members asked for a solution, and we believe we've found them one in SB 88."

Bill sponsor Sen. Kevin Coughlin (R-Cuyahoga Falls), in presenting a substitute version to the full Senate, called the bill "a silver lining" in the state's medical liability crisis and pledged to work with the AMC/NOMA and other interested parties through the summer months preparing it for presentation in the Ohio House. Sen. Eric Fingerhut (D- Cleveland) was the sole Democrat to support the bill. He said Cuyahoga County is the "heart of the matter" with regard to health care in the state. "If we want a state-of-the-art health care industry, then we must have a state-of-the art dispute resolution system," Fingerhut said. The senate vote followed proponent testimony in committee on Tuesday by three AMC/NOMA physician members. Drs. John Clough, Jonathan Myles and John Bastulli traveled to Columbus to offer support on the substitute bills’ merits. Dr. Clough called the addition of bifurcation of liability and damages that arbitrators will consider a "key component" to the sub bill, one that "has the potential to have a significant positive effect on the medical malpractice process, loss costs, and premium rates." 

Visit www.amcnoma.org  for a complete timeline of the legislation, including full text of proponent testimony from NE Ohio physicians, analysis of the bill and its implications for the medical liability crisis in the state.

The Academy of Medicine of Cleveland/Northern Ohio Medical Association supports local physicians in being strong advocates for all patients as well as promoting the practice of the highest quality of medicine. AMC/NOMA advocates on behalf of its more than 4,300 members as the region's premier professional medical society since its founding in 1824.