New Tort Reform Bill Passes Committee

Bill that could help keep doctors in Hawaii gets a new life in the health committee. "Passing this bill will allow stabilization of medical malpractice premiums which physicians have to pay in order to maintain their practice," said Dr. Cynthia Goto, a Honolulu obstetrician/gynecologist and president of the Hawaii Medical Association. The original house bill died a couple of weeks ago when the judiciary committee refused to hear it, but Wednesday, the health committee passed a revised version of a senate bill that keeps tort reform alive. The bill still many hurdles to cross, but its revival today indicates there's enough support to at least give it a fighting chance. "This is a crisis, that is here today," said Dr. Goto. "Physicians are leaving the state and cutting back on their practices." Doctors throughout the state continue to say there's not enough of them to take care of Hawaii's patients. "Maui is the only neighbor island with a neurosurgeon," said Dr. Goto. "In Hilo, only one orthopaedic surgeon is available for on call emergencies. In Honolulu, there are two orthopaedic surgeons on call with a third available one day of the week." Dr. Goto's testimony Wednesday morning helped convince the health committee to pass a revised senate bill that added tort reform language. "Passing this bill will allow stabilization of medical malpractice premiums which physicians have to pay in order to maintain their practice," she said. Malpractice insurance shot up 90 percent ...

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Orignal From: New Tort Reform Bill Passes Committee