Lorrie Hillsgrove, Judith Montmarquet, Melissa Sears
Editor: Melonie Bickford
The Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2009 is intended to improve current access to health care while creating a reduction of liability for Health care providers. H.R. Bill 1086 aims to reduce litigation, reduce liability, create faster resolution of claims, increase the patients’ portion of compensation on claims, and shift liability back to the insurer.
Medical liability reform is not only a critical component of controlling overall healthcare costs, but also providing access to quality care. For specialties like obstetrics and gynecology, the high cost of malpractice insurance has caused a reduction in the number of providers who are currently practicing in these fields and will result in a shortage of medical professionals providing obstetrics. The University of Michigan Health System research study shows a disparity between states with excessive liability coverage costs and those with less expensive costs. Some of the highest are Florida, Nevada, Michigan, New York and the District of Columbia.
