Arizona Group Gears Up to Fight Medical Malpractice Costs; NAMIC Comments

According to a report in the Arizona Capitol Times, The Arizona Medical Association (ArMA) has hastened its efforts to address increasing costs of medical malpractice insurance in the state.

At its annual meeting in May, ArMA adopted a resolution supporting change in the Arizona Constitution to reform medical liability law.

Additionally, the association, which represents 12,000 medical and osteopathic doctors, formed a new corporation, Arizonans for Access to Health Care, to lead a fund-raising campaign, and at tort reform.

NAMIC State Affairs Manager Christian Rataj responded, saying, "Although, NAMIC does not typically provide direct advocacy in regard to medical malpractice insurance issues, the Arizonans for Access to Health Care initiative raises the important public policy question: should meaningful tort reform that is beneficial to the consumer be thwarted by the current Arizona state constitution or should changes be made to the state constitution to allow for necessary tort reform that will make insurance products more readily available and accessible to the consumer and the business community?"

According to an association spokesperson, Andrea Smiley, the new corporation created by ArMA will hire a political campaign firm to convince the public to vote for a ballot initiative that might include an amendment to cap non-economic damage awards in medical liability cases.

Group Gears Up To Fight Medical Malpractice Costs (Arizona Capitol Times)

Source: Arizona Capitol Times, NAMIC staff

Posted: Tuesday, June 28, 2005 12:00:00 AM. Modified: Tuesday, June 28, 2005 1:00:02 PM.

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