CONTACT:  Elayne R. Biddlestone                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

                       (216) 520-1000, ext. 321                       June 4, 2002

Northeast Ohio Physician Rally Planned to Raise Awareness Regarding the Medical Liability Crisis

CLEVELAND – Physicians from across the region plan to assemble on Public Square in downtown Cleveland on June 10, 2002 to raise the awareness of legislators, the public, and the media on the need for tort reform in Ohio and to voice their concern about the rising cost of medical liability insurance.

Annual medical liability insurance costs have risen 35 percent to 100 percent this year, with some going as high as 200 percent for high-risk specialties such as obstetrics and surgery.

“The high cost of insurance is primarily due to the proliferation of frivolous law suits filed against doctors and the cost to defend against them,” stated Dr. Kevin Geraci, president of The Academy of Medicine of Cleveland/Northern Ohio Medical Association (AMC/NOMA).

Presentations regarding the medical liability crisis and the need for tort reform will begin at noon.  An expected group of 300 volunteer physicians plans to walk to the Cuyahoga County Courthouse for a final address at 1:00 p.m.

Speakers will include Ohio Representative James P. Trakas (R-15);  Dr. Geraci; Dr. Daniel McLaughlin, a vascular surgeon; Dr. James Tasse, a general surgeon and an attorney; and Dr. Louis Caravella, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Fairview and Lutheran Hospitals.

Dr. McLaughlin, a key organizer of the rally and former member of the AMC/NOMA board of directors, states, “The main purpose of this rally is to garner public support to address the malpractice insurance crisis and stop lawsuit abuse.” 

In April, 2002, the AMC/NOMA launched a targeted campaign to raise the awareness of physicians, health care professionals and patients regarding the sharp                                            

increase in medical liability premiums in Ohio and the overall effect on medicine.  The organization has mailed information on the crisis to over 7,000 physicians in Cuyahoga, Summit, and other contiguous counties.  The AMC/NOMA has sent out information regarding the rally to over 2,500 physicians.

“The AMC/NOMA believes that it is imperative that the health care community unite in this debate in order to affect change in the state of Ohio.” said Dr. Geraci. “Until and unless meaningful tort reform legislation is enacted and remains in force in Ohio, there will be a devastating effect on patients’ access to quality care.  If doctors can’t afford insurance, our patients’ medical care may be at risk.”

“The public needs to understand how this crisis in our medical liability system is threatening their doctor’s ability to practice medicine,” McLaughlin further stated.  “The intention of this rally is to raise public awareness and focus attention on this critical issue.”

For a detailed fact sheet and additional information on medical liability go to the AMC/NOMA Web site at www.amcnoma.org and click on Medical Liability or contact the AMC/NOMA at (216) 520-1000.