ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) applauds the House of Representatives for passing H.R. 5, the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2003. The HEALTH Act will ensure fair compensation to patients injured by medical negligence and make needed reforms to the medical liability system.
"The House's action is the first critical step in addressing the medical liability crisis confronting patients and physician group practices throughout the nation," said William F. Jessee, MD, CMPE, president and CEO of the MGMA. "A recent MGMA poll of 700 group practices confirms that increases in liability premiums are beginning to severely limit patient access to healthcare."
The MGMA has actively supported federal liability reform for several years. The HEALTH Act of 2003 sets limits on non-economic and punitive damages, offers proportionate liability among all parties and allows for periodic payment for future damages.
Practices responding to MGMA's recent liability premium poll faced an average premium increase of 53.15 percent between 2002 and 2003. In response to this increase, 26.1 percent of practices indicated that their physicians would retire, relocate or restrict their services over the next three years. Of even greater concern, 14.1 percent of practices said they would no longer treat certain high-risk patients as a result of the premium increases.
"MGMA urges the Senate to consider similar legislation swiftly," said Jessee. "Access to medical care for the greatest number of Americans, particularly high-risk patients can only be achieved through enactment of strong federal liability legislation. We look forward to working with Congress to pass reasonable liability reform legislation."
The MGMA, founded in 1926, is the nation's principal voice for medical group practice. MGMA's 19,000 members manage and lead more than 11,000 organizations in which more than 220,000 physicians practice. MGMA's core purpose is to improve the effectiveness of medical group practices and the knowledge and skills of the individuals who manage and lead them.