Missouri's Malpractice cases are lower than ever

Intro:	President Obama says medical malpractice reform can cut down on health care costs, but now the question is whether the Federal Government can actually take precedent in this issue. Michael Gossum has more from the State Capitol.
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Intro:

President Obama says medical malpractice reform can cut down on health care costs, but now the question is whether the Federal Government can actually take precedent in this issue.

Michael Gossum has more from the State Capitol.

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0:46

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Wrap: Right now it's up to an individual state to oversee medical malpractice claims.

So, how can the Federal government work to cut down the number of cases in Missouri?

Attorney Tom Pirmantgen (Per-mun-gin) says the federal government has no place in the issue.

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Description: I don't agree that they should have any, I also don't agree with the philosophy that you should curtail people from bringing good claims to juries where they're warranted and supported by the evidence as a means of saving cost for insurance companies or for the federal government. I'm opposed to that.

According to a report released by the State Insurance Department, the number of medical malpractice claims in Missouri is currently at an all-time low.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Michael Gossum.

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Intro:	The number of medical malpractice claims in Missouri is at an all-time low according to the Missouri Department of Insurance. Michael Gossum has more from the State Capitol.
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Intro:

The number of medical malpractice claims in Missouri is at an all-time low according to the Missouri Department of Insurance.

Michael Gossum has more from the State Capitol.

RunTime:

0:41

OutCue:

SOC

Wrap: Attorney Tom Pirmantgen says these low numbers can be attributed to tighter restrictions for filing claims.

Pirmantgen said medical professionals must file a statement showing a violation of the professional care standards before a malpractice case is pursued.

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Description: That requirement alone, I think would weed out any suits that would be frivolous, you know because they rely on a medical opinion of a qualified professional, just initially to even file the suit.

The Missouri Insurance Department's report shows just more than 3,000 medical malpractice claims filed last year.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Michael Gossum.

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Intro:	One Jefferson City attorney explains why medical malpractice cases are at an all-time low in Missouri. Michael Gossum has more from the State Capitol.
RunTime:	0:46
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Intro:

One Jefferson City attorney explains why medical malpractice cases are at an all-time low in Missouri.

Michael Gossum has more from the State Capitol.

RunTime:

0:46

OutCue:

SOC

Wrap: A report from the Missouri Department of Insurance shows fewer medical malpractice cases than ever before.

Jefferson City attorney Tom Pirmantgen (Per-mun-gin) says this is because of a 2005 law that requires people to make a claim within 90 days of the incident.

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Description: I don't think that's a bad thing, and it does have the effect of inhibiting anyone from filing frivolous suits, much too expensive to pursue.

The law also requires medical professionals to file a statement showing a violation of the professional care standards before a case is pursued.

The Missouri Department of Insurance's report shows there were a little more than 3,000 cases last year.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Michael Gossum.

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