N.Y. Doctors Stage 'Call-In' Over Malpractice Rates
By Gary Mogel
NU Online News Service, Feb. 25, 3:39 p.m. EST?A telephone lobbying effort by New York doctors to secure malpractice reform initiatives was going well today, a representative of the organizing group said.
Elizabeth Dears Kent, an attorney and spokesperson for the Lake Success-based Medical Society of the State of New York, said in an interview with the National Underwriter that the call-in is "going very well" and that she is pleased with the results.
Her organization has asked doctors to make a phone call to state legislators today in support of malpractice reform initiatives.
While there are no statistics on the number of doctors participating, Ms. Kent stated that her support staff is "stressed out" fielding inquiries from doctors about the call-in.
The Medical Society, which represents 30,000 New York doctors, has provided a script that callers can use when they get a lawmaker on the line. The script, which Ms. Kent labeled as "just a tool," suggests that doctors explain to their legislators that they "cannot tolerate any more liability cost increases."
Staffers in the office of Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, R- Saratoga Springs, said they have received "only a few" calls. The Medical Society's Ms. Kent noted that was to be expected, as Sen. Bruno, a Republican, has already come out in favor of reforms.
"We are trying to reach out to the Assembly Democrats," Ms. Kent pointed out. Staff in the office of Assemblyman Alexander "Pete" Grannis, D- Manhattan, who chairs the Assembly insurance committee, reported "about 10 to 15 calls."
Doctors are urging the legislature to cap non-economic (pain and suffering) damages at $250,000, limit attorney contingency fees, and make other reforms to the malpractice litigation process. They hope that these changes will stem the tide of escalating malpractice premiums.
In addition to the call-in, there is a planned trip to the State Capitol in Albany on March 11th and a statewide rally scheduled for May 20th.
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