Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Pennsivania Hospitals Brace for Doctor Walkout
Spartanburg Herald-Journal ^ | January 01, 2003 | DAVID B. CARUSO

Posted on 01/01/2003 6:47:09 AM PST by Captain Shady

By DAVID B. CARUSO
Associated Press Writer Hospitals in eastern Pennsylvania braced for a potential New Year's Day walkout by scores of surgeons who say they can no longer afford to buy malpractice insurance policies.

But with Tuesday's midnight deadline looming, there were signs that Gov.-elect Ed Rendell might have averted a large-scale work stoppage with a proposed aid package that would reduce doctors' insurance payments by $220 million in 2003.

Several large surgical practices in northeast Pennsylvania backed off Tuesday from a threat to stop performing operations Wednesday if something wasn't done about their insurance costs.

Scranton's biggest hospital, Community Medical Center, notified state officials Tuesday that its neurosurgeons agreed to keep working, avoiding the closing of northeast Pennsylvania's only trauma center.

"It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders," said hospital spokeswoman Jane Gaul.

It was unclear whether doctor shutdowns would be avoided altogether.

At least 21 hospitals in southeastern Pennsylvania expected to experience some service shortages on Wednesday, according to the Delaware Valley Healthcare Council, a lobbying group that represents hospitals.

Most of the doctors threatening to stop work were surgeons, but some doctors in specialties where lawsuits are more common, like obstetrics, had also said they might curtail their practices.

Gov. Mark Schweiker said he didn't expect a crisis, but warned that there might be "pockets" around the state where patients would have trouble finding specialists.

Weeks ago, hundreds of doctors had been poised to stop working on New Year's Day to protest high premiums.

The Pennsylvania Medical Society said that in early December, at least 1,100 doctors were still looking for affordable insurance for the new year. Hundreds have since bought policies, but the society predicted there would still be many who would stop practicing on Jan. 1.

Those who have agreed to keep working are banking that Rendell - a Democrat who doesn't take office for another three weeks - can persuade the Republican-controlled Legislature to accept his plan.

Debate over the proposal isn't likely until midwinter.

"Our hope is that Rendell will be true to his word, and put through the reforms he has proposed," said neurosurgeon Steven Barrer of Abington Memorial Hospital in suburban Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania law requires surgeons to buy $1 million in medical liability insurance, plus pay into a state fund that helps pay court judgments that exceed the limits on their private policies.

For some doctors, the combined premiums can cost as much as $150,000 a year. Other doctors unable to obtain private coverage because of their claims history have been forced to turn to a state insurance plan that can cost as much as $300,000 a year.

Rendell's proposal would slash doctor payments to the state medical liability fund, and instead have health insurance companies pay for the fund through a one-time "assessment." Insurers haven't said whether they will fight the plan.

Surgeons in some specialties could save $30,000 to $50,000 a year under Rendell's plan.

Meanwhile, West Virginia officials doubted they could prevent a similar walkout by two dozen surgeons from four hospitals in the state's northern Panhandle.

Insurance and Retirement Services Director Tom Susman said Tuesday that the doctors seemed reluctant to wait a week for legislative proposals being drafted to address the costs of malpractice insurance.

In the event of a walkout, the hospitals planned to divert patients to Ohio and Pennsylvania, or south to Morgantown, W.Va.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Pennsylvania; US: West Virginia
KEYWORDS: govrendell; medicalcare; pennsylvania
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-79 next last
To: 1john2 3and4
question: does this not happen because *sigh* yes, judges are human too, and they dont want to have to deal with the pimp-slapped's face at lunch?

An interesting observation. I've spent very little time in the courtroom, but I have noticed a certain "Camaraderie" among those in the legal profession. For example, my lawyer in a traffic violation many years ago was good friends with the prosecutor and the judge. In fact, the same prosecutor became the defense attorney for a friend of mine when she crossed paths with the law in an adjacent community 12 years ago. Its hard to slap one who helps line ones' own coffers. Professional courtesy, I guess.

41 posted on 01/01/2003 10:16:39 AM PST by meyer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: Lawdoc
Something to Consider: Lawyers--trained in an "Adversarial System"--are trained to HURT people (with the Best Intentions, of course). 'Docs are taught,"First, DO NO HARM!"
Clash of "World View??" Doc
42 posted on 01/01/2003 10:25:36 AM PST by Doc On The Bay
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: meyer
but I have noticed a certain "Camaraderie" among those in the legal profession.

i dont think there's any doubt....the question is; how much does it affect professionalism? quite a bit, im willing to bet. fr'instance, i have a good MALpractice claim against an attorney.....where would i go to seek representation?

43 posted on 01/01/2003 10:26:12 AM PST by 1john2 3and4
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: 1john2 3and4
the question is; how much does it affect professionalism? quite a bit, im willing to bet.

Well, noting that I've seen one city's prosecutor act as a defense attorney in an adjacent town, I tend to agree.

44 posted on 01/01/2003 10:29:32 AM PST by meyer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: Captain Shady
LOFL, Rendell and the spineless scumbags in Harrisburg will never address the problem honestly. Until "jackpot justice" for their scumbag, slip 'n fall trial lawyer brethern is capped, Rendell and these political scumbags in Harrisburg are just playing with themselves. But they have always enjoyed that anyways....
45 posted on 01/01/2003 10:36:44 AM PST by Lancey Howard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Founding Father
"the docs always have the economic choice to not carry insurance"

Not true...medicare regulations require that participating hospitals obtain proof of insurance before they admit physicians to their medical staff. If you aren't on the staff of a hospital, you can't admit patients anywhere.

46 posted on 01/01/2003 10:41:39 AM PST by quebecois
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Mini-14
I'll agree to "tort caps" when doctors agree to "inflicted damage caps".

In other words, you are in favor of urban juries awarding disproportionate compensatory and punitive damages so that a victim's family can become wealthy. Ayn Rand referred to those with this attitude as second-handers. It took a few years, but the Dr. John Galts decided to stop the world. Hope they succeed.

47 posted on 01/01/2003 10:42:00 AM PST by Young Rhino
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: Abundy
The plaintiff sued this old couple anyway and then appealed the SJ dismissal. The kicker is that the attorney is the brother of the plaintiff...so while I believe he is suing this old couple for free figuring they don't have any money, I can't prove it.

Interesting story.
The scumbag lawyer takes quite a risk here, unless he has done his research and ascertained that this elderly couple does not have a son who is the psychopathic sort who really has no use for courts and lawyers and judges and all that stuff.

48 posted on 01/01/2003 10:52:06 AM PST by Lancey Howard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: quebecois
"Pennsylvania law requires surgeons to buy $1 million in medical liability insurance, plus pay into a state fund that helps pay court judgments that exceed the limits on their private policies."

The scumbag trial lwayers run things in Harrisburg.

49 posted on 01/01/2003 10:57:14 AM PST by Lancey Howard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: friendly
1) Loser Pays.

The problem with this idea is that many juries find for the plaintiff because they see the defendant as some rich guy who can afford to give to a poor person and who needs the lesson in humility that forking over money would bring. If the jury knew that having to pay for everything would bankrupt the poor plaintiff, it would be even less likely to find for the defendant in a case that could go either way.

I don't know all of the legal terms and practices, but I don't think that "loser pays" should be universal. I would favor something along the lines of every suit including a countersuit. The jury must first decide whether a preponderance of evidence shows that the defendent acted wrongly. If they find this evidence, the defendant pays. If they don't, then they must decide whether there is a preponderance of evidence that the suit never had any merit. If they find that the suit never had any merit, then the plaintiff should pay.

I've always heard that even civil suits should not be decided on a "toss up" basis. If the evidence barely supports one side or the other, the jury is still supposed to decide for the defendant. Civil law greatly lowers the burden of proof for the prosecution/plaintiff, but it shouldn't lower the bar to the point that a 50/50 case goes to the plaintiff.

WFTR
Bill

50 posted on 01/01/2003 11:04:13 AM PST by WFTR
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Young Rhino
In other words, you are in favor of urban juries awarding disproportionate compensatory and punitive damages so that a victim's family can become wealthy.

The words are your own--not mine.  Awarded damages should be commesurate with the damages inflicted by the "doctors". 

You can legislatively impose "caps", but you can't legislatively limit the amount of actual damage that the "doctors" inflict.  BTW, the "doctor" that inflicted the damage on the school teacher happens to be the same doctor that performed lasik on Tiger Woods.

Ayn Rand referred to those with this attitude as second-handers. It took a few years, but the Dr. John Galts decided to stop the world. Hope they succeed.

Let's see if the patient of "Dr." Whitten is a "second-hander".  Here is an article about the patient: 

http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/1994/05/05-02-94cm/05-02-94cm-5.asp

I'm going to Disney World! 

By MALANIE COX Collegian Magazine Writer

With her long black hair and young, olive-skinned complexion, Kashmira Karanjia is the spitting image of Jasmine from Aladdin. But she was just another Penn State student until she interned at Walt Disney World and got to be Jasmine in Aladdin's Caravan Parade.

Karanjia (junior-elementary education) has worked at Disney World for the past two summers as part of the amusement park's college program. Although her regular Disney jobs -- ticket sales and parking -- weren't as glamorous as playing Jasmine, Karanjia plans to work for Disney World after she graduates.

Karanjia said the hardest part about being Jasmine was not being allowed to talk. But her "Disney moment" came when little girls would hug her and say they wanted to be like Jasmine.

....

But even the Florida humidity can get unbearable after awhile. Karanjia said not having any money and long shifts -- such as 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- were the internship's main drawbacks.

 

51 posted on 01/01/2003 11:06:44 AM PST by Mini-14
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: Doc On The Bay

http://www.tlcsurgeons.com/lawsuits/braverman-pasqualino-complaint.pdf

AFFIDAVIT OF JAMES JOSEPH SALZ, M. D.

 

STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
)ss
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )

        BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, personally appeared, JAMES JOSEPH SALZ, M. D., and after being duly sworn, deposes and says:
        1.  My name is James Joseph Salz and I am licensed medical doctor, board certified in ophthalmology.  I am currently in private practice in Los Angeles, California.
        2.  My curriculum vitae is attached and accurately reflects my education, my training, my certification, my experience and my familiarity with the standards of ophthalmology, Cataract and refractive surgery, LASIK and laser surgery.
        3.  I have reviewed the records of TLC Laser Eye Center and Dr. Stanley Braverman, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, multiple colored and black and white topographies of Mr. Ronald Pasqualino from TLC and Bascom Palmer.  The records from Bascom Palmer clearly show that Mr.Pasqualino has keratoconus in both eyes. If there were evidence of keratoconus prior to his LASIK surgery on 12/9/99, it would be a deviation from the standard of care to perform LASIK surgery on his eyes.  After careful study of the records provided, it is my opinion to a reasonable degree of medical probability that the care and treatment received from Dr. Stanley Braverman and TLC Laser Eye Center fell below the standard of care.  More specifically, including but not limited to:

  1. The black and white copy of the Humphrey topography map dated 12/8/99, prior to his LASIK surgery, shows evidence of form fruste keratoconus, a contraindication for LASIK surgery. This map shows an unusual non-orthogonal type of astigmatism, which could indicate irregular astigmatism.  This map combined with the fact that the best corrected vision of 20/25 in the right eye and 20/40 in the left eye should have increased the suspicion of irregular astigmatism and possibly keratoconus;

  2. There is marked difference in the black and white copies of the topography dated 12/8/99 and 12/9/99 and the color copies with Mr. Pasqualino's name and exactly the same date and time as the black and white copies.  It is clear that the color copies are not the same as the black and white copies. This is apparent from the general appearance of the maps and the distinctly different SimK values for each eye on the black and white and color copies.  The color copies are not suspicious for keratoconus and most likely represent maps from another patient.  For example, Mr. Pasqualino was found to have 3.5 D of astigmatism with the steep axis at 5 degrees on his refraction recorded on 12/9/99.  The black and white maps of 12/8/99 indicates almost 3 D of astigmatism with the steep axis at 6 degrees and the map of 12/9/99 indicates almost 3 D of astigmatism with the steep axis at 12 degrees. Both of these black and white maps would be consistent with Mr. Pasqualino's refraction for that eye.  The color maps of the same dates indicate only about 1 D of astigmatism, which is not consistent with his refraction for that eye.

  3. The colored map dated 7/29/99 reflect SimK values for the right eye that are considerable different than the black and white maps of 12/8/99 and 12/9/99.  If these are truly both images of Mr. Pasqualino's right eye then he was unstable and not a candidate for surgery.  In fact, this color image cannot be of Mr. Pasqualino because the left eye color map of the same date clearly shows the typical postoperative central flattening (blue zone) typical of a postoperative patient. Of course, Mr. Pasqualino did not have surgery until 12/9/99.

  4. The refractions prior to the surgery on the left eye on 6/22/00 and then on 11/4/00 were unstable and the topography showed significant inferior corneal steepening indicative of post LASIK keratoectasia and neither surgery should have been performed.

        4.  Clearly, based upon the foregoing, it seems apparent that someone tried to substitute normal color maps for the suspicious black and white maps in an attempt to show that the eyes did not demonstrate any evidence of keratoconus prior to the laser surgery.
        5.  As a result of the negligence of Dr. Braverman and TLC as stated above, including but not limited to what appears to be a deliberate attempt to manipulate the records, Mr. Pasqualino's vision has been severely compromised and has resulted in the need for bilateral corneal transplantation, which has already been performed on his left eye.
        6.  I have never had an opinion disqualified in any court of law.
Under the penalties of perjury, I declare that I have read the foregoing affidavit and the facts stated herein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

        FURTHER AFFIANT SAYETH NAUGHT

JAMES JOSEPH SALZ, M.D.

STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
)ss
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )

        The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this.21st Day day of September, 2001, by James Joseph Salz, M. D., who is personally known to me or has produced a drives;s license or other Identification.

ROSEIIA R. DE LAND
Notary Public


52 posted on 01/01/2003 11:15:11 AM PST by Mini-14
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: Beauty
Hospitals in eastern Pennsylvania braced for a potential New Year's Day walkout by scores of surgeons who say they can no longer afford to buy malpractice insurance policies.

More proof of the continued destruction of all that's good by trial lawyers.

53 posted on 01/01/2003 11:19:36 AM PST by Jonathon Spectre
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Doc On The Bay
The best lawyers I know understand that practically speaking ( that is to say in human terms), both sides lose when there is no alternative but to try a case. I must concede that mediation, other types of alternative dispute resolution, and collaborative law are relatively new concepts which most lawyers haven't mastered (by training or choice - and partly due to the lack of financial incentive), but they are gaining more acceptance, and are now often required by courts, and are frequently successfully. In that case the litigants get to decide the outcome, not some rogue judge or runaway jury.

Though your point is well taken. My point is that it is that it is easy to blame wreckless physicians (and there are a few) or unethical/opportunistic lawyers (who view every poor outcome or death as malpractice), when it is the malpractice carriers (who are doing everything they can to improve their profits) who also share much of the blame. I have a prior medical background and chose to practice law. I have many friends who are physicians and health care providers (some, whom were forced to go bare because of the expense of premiums, I have defended some of them pro bono). Attorneys and lawyers are not natural enemies (and your observation notwithstanding), both require the services of the other. BTW, I recently lectured at a judicial conference about the necessity that the legal profession adopt the maxim of "First Do No Harm" as a key principle in competent representation of clients and the necessity of proactive judges to mitigate the harm caused by abusive attorneys. The talk was actually well received.
54 posted on 01/01/2003 11:29:04 AM PST by Lawdoc
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: friendly
6) Outlawing contingency fees. 7) Lawyers forbidden from running from office. They are agents of the judiciary. 8) Most important: a total disempowerment of the bar associations. Lawyer discipline by true consumer control. Like any other industry.

Getting a bit silly there at the end, pal. This isn't China.

55 posted on 01/01/2003 12:04:27 PM PST by montag813
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Mini-14
Your post about a purported malpractice patient who interned at Disney World, while touching, is absolutely irrelevant. It does not negate my contention that those who play med mal jury bingo in order to receive awards disproportionate to their actual damages are part of a problem fueled by trial lawyers leeching off of society through contingency fees. The "victim" who wants more than compensation, and the attorney who facilitates the travesty, are both second-handers who feed off others' hard work.

I understand your personal experience is driving this bitterness toward doctors. I also know that after practicing law for seven years in the geographic area described in the article that your experience is atypical.

Never mistake the law for justice. The statue with the blindfold should also contain a warning that justice is not only blind, but deaf and dumb to boot.

I have no personal economic interest in this debate. I've relocated to Dallas, and currently work as a corporate trainer in the legal publishing industry.


56 posted on 01/01/2003 12:23:09 PM PST by Young Rhino
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: Abundy; friendly; Mini-14; Young Rhino
I thought that you might like to read a little about a previous "doctor's strike", in 1962:

Interview with Dr. Bruce Henriksen

There is also an essay on that strike written by Dr. Leonard Peikoff, called "Doctors and the Police State", which is not online. It was published in The Objectivist Newsletter in June, 1962.

57 posted on 01/01/2003 12:23:56 PM PST by snopercod
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: snopercod
Thanks for the link to the Henriksen interview...fascinating.
58 posted on 01/01/2003 12:28:57 PM PST by Young Rhino
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: montag813
The lawyer industry operates outside of the restrictions of normal business oversight. Bar association grievance committees are a sick joke and must be eliminated with public open consumer oversight.

AND ... contingency fees are considered grossly unethical and illegal in most democratic governments. Which is the way that it should be!

59 posted on 01/01/2003 12:29:42 PM PST by friendly
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: Lawdoc
I worked for a company who decide to fight . They took it to court and won. It cost over a million dollars. How about just making the loser pay all costs. Trial lawyers know the chances of settlements are high. That's why they get away with it.


60 posted on 01/01/2003 1:11:52 PM PST by CindyDawg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-79 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson