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AMA strongly supports medical liability reform legislation based on 25+ years of experience For immediate release CHICAGO – The American Medical Association today announced its strong support for the Patients First Act of 2003 (S. 11), important medical liability reform introduced by Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.). The Patients First Act of 2003 is modeled after common-sense reforms that have worked in California since 1975. "There are 18 states in a full-blown medical liability crisis, and the Senate now has a historic opportunity to support proven reforms to protect patients’ access to care," said AMA President Donald J. Palmisano, MD. "We...

North Florida Surgeons and the medical liability crisis At-a-glance • Not a protest, but our only option: North Florida Surgeons’ decision to close its doors May 2 was not our way of protesting, but the result of crushing economic realities – soaring claims, losses and premiums are threatening our survival. • A high-quality, experienced practice: North Florida Surgeons was formed in 1996 by combining the practices of about 20 established general surgeons with a combined 140 years of surgical experience. We are a good, veteran practice caught up in this crisis. • Filling a community need: In its eight years...

Over the past year, dozens of doctors have shut down their practices or retired early because they could not find medical liability insurance or afford the skyrocketing rates. Most of the doctors who have called it quits have been high risk specialists such as obstetricians, general surgeons and emergency room physicians. Nevada patients will find themselves living in a state that's at least a decade behind the times in quality medicine and access to care.