Discussions Set on Tort Reform; Malpractice Bills on Agenda

Byline: Christina Bellantoni, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

RICHMOND - Lawmakers in Virginia, where rising medical malpractice insurance rates have forced nearly 100 doctors to quit their practice in the past year, will take up legislation today that could bring tort reform.

Many in the General Assembly have said Virginia earns high rankings for its restrictive malpractice and tort laws. Still, the state's medical community is calling for malpractice-insurance reform to keep physicians from either quitting high-risk specialties such as surgery, obstetrics and gynecology or leaving the state and setting up their practice elsewhere.

Ann Hughes, director of legislative and political affairs for the Medical Society of Virginia, said doctors must be involved in the process to bring about change.

"We have doctors who can no longer afford to keep …

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Publication information: Article title: Discussions Set on Tort Reform; Malpractice Bills on Agenda. Contributors: Not available. Newspaper title: The Washington Times (Washington, DC). Publication date: January 19, 2005. Page number: B01. © 2009 The Washington Times LLC. COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group.

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