| New Data Shows Tort Law Changes Won't Reduce Malpractice Premiums |
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Insurance companies lobby to limit patients' legal
rights, yet never pass savings onto physicians or
consumers Washington, DC- AAJ - Tort law changes have failed to reduce malpractice insurance costs, and states with caps on damages often have higher premiums than states without caps, according to an analysis of just-released liability data. While insurance companies have claimed tort law changes would lower physicians' premiums, this has not been the case. There is either no difference in rates between cap and non-cap states, or cap states actually have higher premiums - underscoring how a state's liability laws play no role in lowering insurance or overall health care costs. Doctors' premiums rise and fall based on the insurance cycle, totally unrelated to the legal system. The new data shows: • Average liability premiums across internists, general surgeons and OB/Gyns are nearly identical for states with or without caps. "Malpractice insurers promised tort law changes would lower premiums, yet it has not happened," said American Association for Justice President Anthony Tarricone. "While these companies make record profits off the backs of doctors, patients injured through no fault of their own are often unable to seek recourse. This information comes at an important time in the health care debate - providing clear evidence that tort law changes won't decrease costs." The above statistics were derived from data released this month in Medical Liability Monitor. More information and charts on this data can be found at www.justice.org/clips/premiums2009.pdf. |