Thousands Of Pa. Doctors Hold Rally

By Michael Ha

NU Online News Service, April 29, 1:28 p.m.EDT? The Doctor was out yesterday for many Pennsylvaniaresidents.

Two thousand doctors shut down their office activities for arally in Philadelphia that kicked off a week-long series of eventsplanned to protest soaring medical malpractice insurance premiumsand underscore doctors' demands for insurance reformlegislation.

In addition to doctors, total attendance at the Philadelphiarally was 5000, according to the Philadelphia-based PoliticallyActive Physicians Association, one of the organizing groups for therallies.

PAPA said there were also separate events in two other cities,with some 100 doctors and hundreds of supporters attending a rallyin Harrisburg, and around 300 physicians and a couple of hundredsupporters participating in a Pittsburgh march.

Many doctors across the state are closing their offices thisweek to attend various events, PAPA said. However, the group saidphysicians would not leave emergency patients at risk and thatemergency rooms would remain open, with doctors on call.

Dr. James Tayoun, president of PAPA, told NationalUnderwriter the main demands from doctors in his state includesetting caps on non-economic damages at $250,000, as well assetting limits on contingency fees for lawyers involved in medicalmalpractice cases and more strict statute of limitations onmalpractice suits.

Dr. Tayoun said there are many more events scheduled for therest of the week. "Today, we are doing some town hall meetings. OnWednesday, the Pennsylvania Medical Society will join for anotherrally in State College, Pennsylvania. We are expecting some 3000doctors to participate," he said.

There will be some more rallies in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh andHarrisburg come this Thursday, and on Friday, there will beoutreach programs and minor demonstrations, Dr. Tayoun said.