Date

 

The Honorable __________

Ohio House of Representatives or Ohio Senate (dependent upon addressee)

77 South High Street

Columbus, Ohio 43266

 

Dear Representative/Senator __________:

 

I am writing to you as a physician and member of the Academy of Medicine of Cleveland/ Northern Ohio Medical Association regarding an issue that is of paramount importance to Ohio physicians and their patients.

 

There is a wound that doctors in Ohio need help in healing.  It is not a physical wound, but it is one that, if not treated quickly and effectively, could damage the long-term health of medical care in our state.

 

I am talking about the medical liability insurance crisis that is threatening to force doctors, particularly senior specialists, to consider leaving their medical practices or leaving the state for more favorable rates.  (physicians may wish to add their own anecdotal information here or in other parts of this letter)

 

According to an Academy of Medicine/Northern Ohio Medical Association poll released this year, annual increases of 100 percent or more in medical liability insurance are not uncommon, and some are even more incredible.  For example, a local cardiology group’s annual premiums went up 220% from $40,000 in 2000 to $128,000 in 2001, and local radiology practice’s premiums increased 233%. 

 

That kind of staggering increase in overhead would seriously hurt any small enterprise…and if it is not addressed by the Ohio legislature, it will adversely affect how you and your family will be cared for and the price you will pay for that care.

 

Since doctors are required to carry medical liability insurance to practice in Ohio, there is the rub.

How can doctors stay in practice when they can’t buy insurance or they can’t afford the insurance that is available?  They can’t. 

 

Around the country, many doctors are either retiring early or getting out of those high-risk specialties that draw so many lawsuits - obstetrics, radiology, and cancer specialists, to name a few.   Doctors are being forced to reduce their staff or postpone buying new equipment to save money.  In addition, medical schools are not graduating the high numbers of new physicians as in the past, which will lead to a growing shortage of physicians.  Some physicians are considering moving out of state, while others are being more selective in seeing new patients.  (physicians should add in their own comments here if they have examples as to how this crisis has affected them and their practice)

 

The bottom line is that this situation is impacting the quality of care, as doctors are forced to practice defensive medicine by ordering more tests or seeing more patients to offset revenue losses, and spending less time per patient.  The patient-doctor relationship is eroding, and it is time to do something before the crisis reaches epidemic proportions.

 

We need to reform – not abolish – medical liability laws.  Reasonable laws that protect patients should be in place.  But abuse of the system with frivolous lawsuits and unreasonable jury verdicts has financially strained our health care systems as doctors and hospitals struggle with outlandish insurance premiums.   Even if remedies are found to improve the current insurance climate, there must be meaningful reform of the liability laws in Ohio in order to continue to provide patients with access to quality health care. 

 

We urge your support of meaningful tort reform laws in Ohio.

 

Sincerely

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