The AMC/NOMA applauds the legislature for passing Senate Bill 281 – legislation that places limits on non-economic damages in medical liability suits. The Governor is expected to sign the legislation before the end of 2002.
Northeastern Ohio physicians were the hardest hit by the medical liability insurance crisis, and the AMC/NOMA worked hard to assure passage of SB 281. The AMC/NOMA mobilized thousands of Northeastern Ohio physicians, their patients, and the chiefs of staff of the Northeastern Ohio hospitals in our grassroots effort. The AMC/NOMA also took a lead role in providing testimony on SB 281. In addition to the lobbying efforts of the AMC/NOMA lobbyists – the Sines and Towner Policy Group – many physician members from the AMC/NOMA took the time out of their practice to testify before both the House and Senate committee hearings on SB 281. The AMC/NOMA believes that it is very important that physicians took the lead on this issue and provided their input and testimony. In addition to our lobbying efforts, the AMC/NOMA was the first association in the state to contact the media regarding the medical liability crisis and we were the only association to prepare a broad-based media campaign. The AMC/NOMA produced and distributed thousands of brochures to patients and physician offices, met with the media, produced two television ads, radio programs, wrote letters to the editor, planned and participated in a press conference with the governor in Cleveland, and presented at three physician rallies – in Cleveland, Lorain and Columbus.
Although the legislation does not mirror MICRA – the California law – the physicians of Northeastern Ohio are to be congratulated on their grassroots effort. There were changes made to the legislation as it moved through the legislative process and once the bill becomes law the leadership of the AMC/NOMA will continue to monitor the impact of the legislation on the medical community – to determine whether or not there is a positive change in the medical liability climate. Physicians are encouraged to continue to provide information to the AMC/NOMA regarding this issue. Additional information may be obtained on our web site at www.amcnoma.org.