Is there a doctor in the house? NOT IN THE DELIVERY ROOM.
25
Is there a doctor in the house? NOT IN THE DELIVERY ROOM
-
Upload
stephany-wiggins -
Category
Documents
-
view
216 -
download
2
Transcript of Is there a doctor in the house? NOT IN THE DELIVERY ROOM.
Is there a doctor in the house?
NOT IN THE DELIVERY ROOM
NOT IN THE OR,ER, or TRAUMA CENTER
Is there a doctor in the house?
NOT IN RURAL OREGON
Is there a doctor in the house?
NOT IN THE FUTURE
Is there a doctor in the house?
MEDICAL LIABILITY CRISIS
Why?
Background
• 1985-1987, premiums increased ~50%
• 1987, cap on non-economic damages
• 1990, premiums reduced 50%
• 1999, struck down by State Supreme Court
• 1999-present, premiums increased by ~100%
Professional Liability Insurance Premiums
-20%
-10%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
'82 '84 '86 '88 '90 '92 '94 '96 '98 '00 '02
Cap in effect
Claims “Paid”
• 123 claims/year prior to 1987 tort reform
• 67 claims/year 1987-present
• 46% decrease in paid claims
Claims “Paid”
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
'82 '84 '86 '88 '90 '92 '94 '96 '98 '00 '02
Cap in effect
No increase in “bad medicine”
Claim “Severity”
• Cost of paid claims
• 1982-2002 average cost of paid claim increased $286,000 (~300%)
• Greatest increase Aug. 1999-May 2003– 113 claims paid over $250,000– $92,286,400 paid
Claim “Severity”
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
$250,000
$300,000
$350,000
$400,000
'82 '84 '86 '88 '90 '92 '94 '96 '98 '00 '02
Cap in effect
Claim severity increases without cap
Claim “Severity”
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
ORS IM NS OB/GYN
CapNo Cap
Negative impact on multiple specialties
• Number claims 465
• Average demand $3,225,206
• Total demands $1,500,000,000
Claim “Pending”
$1.5 Billion
• Amount each Oregonian would need to pay….
$500
$1.5 Billion
• Amount each physician in Oregon would need to pay….
$330,000
Where’s the money going?Employment Policy Foundation
Washington, D.C.
• Personal injury lawyers take majority.
• Patients receive ~38%.
• Caps on non-economic losses could save $54.8 to $97.5 billion annually.
• Controlling medical litigation could reduce health care costs 5%-9% without sacrificing quality.
Oregon Medical AssociationPhysician Work Force Assessment 2003
• 33% of Oregon’s physicians are age 50-59.
• Increased cost of practice does not allow physicians to “slow down”.
• Early retirement– 20% statewide– 33% southwest Oregon– 37% Oregon’s neurosurgeons
• Doctors are moving out of state.
• 5% of Oregon’s physicians have moved.
• 15% of Oregon’s physicians are strongly considering a move.
• 20% of Oregon’s physicians under 50 yrs are considering relocating their practices.
Oregon Medical AssociationPhysician Work Force Assessment 2003
Oregon Medical AssociationPhysician Work Force Assessment 2003
• Patient care is negatively affected.
• Less high risk services are provided.
• Complex cases are more likely to be referred elsewhere.
Less High Risk Services
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
GS OB/GYN ORS NS
Increased Referral
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
GS OB/GYN ORS NS
The Crisis is Real!
• Medical liability litigation is out of control and destroying our medical system.
• Oregon is losing good doctors.
• Access to health care is at risk.
• Medical liability reform is needed now.
Medical Liability Reform
• Caps on non-economic losses.
• No caps on economic losses.
• Juries should decide on all economic damages and up to a reasonable cap on non-economic damages.
• Limit contingency fees of lawyers.
Medical Liability Reform
• Constitutional amendment
• General election, November 2004
• Cost of $6 million
Medical Liability Reform
What can you do?
• Educate your patients
• Educate your colleagues
• Give $1000 or more… Now.
