The American Academy of Family Phys...

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) freshly announced its support of the Reliable Medical Justice Act ( 1518) a bill that would create as many as seven demonstration plots to be conducted in states that would like to replace their arrangement for trying medical malpractice cases. The bill, which was introduced by dint of Sen. Michael Enzi (R-Wyo.), moves three alternative judicial models: (1) early disclosure and compensation, which proposes health care providers immunity from lawsuits if they promptly admit negligence to an injured party and make a timely propose of compensation; (2) administrative determination of compensation, which allows states to establish classes of avoidable injuries and create an administrative board to melt claims related to those injuries; and (3) a special health care court, which would hear cases involving claims of medical negligence with presiding arbiters who have expertise in health care issues and would make binding rulings forward causation, compensation, and standards of care. States also may apply for grants to implement their acknowledge tort reform model if they can demonstrate in what manner their version would make the medical liability rule more reliable. "Medical liability insurance premiums have increased across the nation, threatening patient access to medical services in near areas. A new vision for addressing this medical crisis is pressingly needed," AAFP Board Chair Warren Jone MD Ridgeland, Miss., wrote in a literal meaning to Senator Enzi.

COPYRIGHT 2003 American Academy of Family Physicians

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