New York physicians join in rallies for tort reform

     More than a thousand New York physicians, from across the state, recently joined together in two dozen rallies to demonstrate their concern over skyrocketing liability premium costs and their ability to deliver patient care. "We now see that many physicians are struggling to cover their overheads and are having to cut back on services,"  according to the President of the Medical Society of the State of New York, Ann Cea, MD, "If physicians can't get some relief then more cutbacks in medical services are inevitable.  Against a backdrop of Medicare fee cuts, physicians are just out of room."

     New York physicians currently lead the country in total medical malpractice payouts.  In the year 2000 their payouts were 80% higher than those in Pennsylvania, which currently ranks second.  New York state physicians also pay higher malpractice insurance premiums than most physicians in other states.  Premiums for liability insurance is expected to rise again this year and coupled with the reduced Medicare payments and reduced and/or delayed payments from other health insurers, have made New York physicians angry.

     Physician spokespersons at the rallies stressed that these economic pressures are forcing New York physicians to leave the state, reduce the scope of their practices or retire from practice altogether.  Physician shortages are already present in some parts of the state and it is becoming more difficult for patients to obtain certain high-risk service, such as mammograms.