HARRISBURG Survey: Crisis in medical liability insurance worries residents

HARRISBURG -- A large majority of Pennsylvanians polled are worried about the impact of the medical liability insurance crisis on their health care.
They also believe that jury awards in medical malpractice cases are out of control, according to a new poll, commissioned by The Hospital & amp; Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Medical Society, said Chuck Moran, director of media and public relations for PMS.
The poll asked 805 adults about their impressions of the medical liability insurance crisis and its real and perceived impact on their health care.
Here are results
The poll's findings include:
UNearly seven of 10 Pennsylvanians believe that the current crisis is "very" or "somewhat" likely to affect their medical care.
UNearly four of five Pennsylvanians say that jury awards in medical malpractice cases have gotten out of control.
UNearly half of all Pennsylvanians have heard of doctors' leaving the practice of medicine or leaving the state, or doctors' offices or other health care facilities' closing as a result of the medical liability insurance crisis.
UMore than one-third of those responding "yes" say that their doctor has left the practice of medicine or left the state, or their doctor's office or health facility they use has closed as a result of the medical liability insurance crisis.
UFour of five Pennsylvanians "strongly" or "somewhat" support legislation to help control the rising costs of medical liability insurance that doctors and hospitals pay.
The polling data followed the recent release of a survey by The Project on Medical Liability in Pennsylvania, funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, that shows growing concern among individuals and small-business owners about the impact of rising malpractice insurance costs on their own health care costs and on their access to health care services.
"For two years, Pennsylvania's hospitals and physicians have been sounding the alarm that the medical liability insurance crisis is real and is a threat to patients' access to care," said HAP President and CEO Carolyn F. Scanlan.
"It is clear from this survey that Pennsylvanians understand the depth of the crisis, and that they want it fixed. We have made good progress this year, with the enactment of three laws that provide some structural changes to the state's insurance and tort systems."
What's needed
But, physicians and hospitals still need short-term financial relief, and it is necessary to continue to advocate for reforms that fully protect the rights of injured patients to be fully compensated for their economic losses while placing reasonable limits on the excessive noneconomic damage awards that threaten to cripple the state's health care delivery system, Scanlan said.
"Health care for 12 million Pennsylvanians and the millions more who visit our state every year is hanging by a thread as lawsuit abuse spins out of control," said PDr. Edward H. Dench Jr., president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society.
"The results of this poll demonstrate that Pennsylvania's citizens overwhelmingly support liability insurance and tort reforms," said G. Terry Madonna of Madonna Young Opinion Research, who conducted the survey.
The poll was conducted between Aug. 17 and Sept. 17, 2002, excluding Labor Day weekend and Sept. 11.
HAP is a statewide membership services organization that advocates for nearly 250 Pennsylvania acute and specialty care, primary care, subacute care, long-term care, home health and hospice providers, as well as the patients and communities they serve. The Pennsylvania Medical Society has headquarters in Harrisburg.