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Medical malpractice insurance on the rise

September 10, 2003
By: Ann M. Hynek
State Capital Bureau

Doctors facing high medical malpractice insurance rates say they need relief, while lawyers say it's important to defend patients' rights. Ann Hynek has the story.

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The governor vetoed a bill in July that would cap malpractice lawsuit awards, saying it violated patients' rights.

But Representative Richard Byrd, who supported the bill, said Holden did not have patients in mind.

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Contents: "I believe that the governor is very concerned about the financial support he will be getting from the trial attorneys in his re-election bid. And that concern about his re-election finances has taken precedent over the concern of the health care for the residents of the state."

Trade groups representing doctors and lawyers met this week to hammer out a solution, but were unable to come to an agreement.

From the Capitol, I'm Ann Hynek for K-M-O-X news.

Date: September 10, 2003

By: Ann M. Hynek

State Capital Bureau

Doctors continue to battle rising insurance premiums. Ann Hynek has the story.

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Lawmakers passed a bill earlier this year that placed a cap on malpractice lawsuit awards.

Holden vetoed the bill, saying award limits will not lower high insurance premiums.

Sharon Geuea, a representative for the association for trial attorneys, agrees:

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Contents: "The GAO came out with a study and it said states with caps tend to have their premium rates lower. It also says that those states also have insurance regulation."

The state medical association and the association of trial attorneys met this week to find a solution, and were unable to come to an agreement.

From the Capitol, I'm Ann Hynek for K-M-O-X news.Date: September 8, 2003

By: Ann M. Hynek

State Capital Bureau

Doctors continue their fight against rising malpractice insurance rates. Ann Hynek has the story:

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Doctors faced a setback earlier this year when the Governor vetoed a bill that would have capped malpractice lawsuit awards.

Liz Fleenor, a spokesperson for the state medical association, says high premiums are driving doctors out of Missouri.

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Contents: "According to a survey that MSMA conducted in July 2002, approximately seventy physicians had left the state for other states who had lower malpractice insurance premiums."

The state Association of Trial Attorneys opposes a cap on rewards. Communications coordinator, Sharon Geuea:

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Contents: "Well, we think that it is going to hurt the people who are most seriously injured. What the caps on non-economic damages do is it says unless you are making money in our society, you are not worth as much as someone who is."

The Missouri State Medical Association plans to meet with the Association of Trial Attorneys to reach a compromise.

From the state capital, I'm Ann Hynek....