April 24th, 2009

Reports the Philadelphia Inquirer:

Citing new statistics that show a 41 percent decline in medical malpractice lawsuits statewide since early in the decade, Gov. Rendell said yesterday that efforts to address Pennsylvania’s malpractice insurance crisis had curbed the rise in premiums for doctors and given patients better access to care.

He said a report released last week by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts demonstrated that new laws and judicial rule changes since 2002 had improved the health-care climate in the state.

“The results have been extraordinarily impressive in abating the malpractice insurance crisis,” Rendell said at a news conference. He also said the decline had helped retain doctors and attract malpractice insurance providers.

Because of the success, he said, he will not seek to renew the state-funded insurance subsidy program for doctors, known as MCARE.

The report by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts showed that 1,602 malpractice lawsuits were filed in 2008. In Philadelphia, which had the highest caseload, there was a 54 percent decrease in filings. Rendell said claims had dropped to $174 million, a 50 percent decrease since 2003.

Read more at the Inquirer.