N.Y. OBGYNs Pushed To 'Breaking Point'
NU Online News Service, June 13, 4:20 p.m. EDT?A spokesperson for the New York Obstetricians and Gynecologists group said their members are at a "breaking point" over medical liability insurance rates that are due to increase next month.
Ruth Wallens, spokesperson for the New York chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said many doctors are now at a point where they are reconsidering whether their practices are economically viable. "Nationwide, OBGYNs pay some of the highest premiums in specialty fields. Among them, New York OBGYNs pay some of the highest rates," said Ms. Wallens, noting that in some areas in New York, obstetricians and gynecologists pay an average of $110,000 in medical malpractice premiums.
And come July 1, she added, there is a proposed rate increase of between 19 to 22 percent for New York obstetricians and gynecologists.
"These doctors are finding it difficult to comprehend how they can continue to deliver babies in New York state under the current medical liability environment," said Ms. Wallens.
To voice their growing concern, some 400 New York obstetrician-gynecologists gathered in Albany and marched on the state Capitol this past Wednesday, she said.
Ms. Wallens related that, "There were 400 physicians, all OBGYN, who came from all across the state, many of whom closed their offices for the day."
What the new rate increase in July would do, Ms. Wallens added, is to push these doctors over the top. "In many cases, as much as one-half of the reimbursements that they receive for each delivery goes to pay their medical liability premiums.
"They came to Albany and marched on the state Capitol steps to deliver in person their message to their state legislators and the governor that they need an immediate relief," she said.
In New York, in the last 18 months alone, 212 obstetrician-gynecologists have given up obstetrics, "and add to that the number of doctors over the age of 60 who are likely to give up obstetrics next month when the higher rates go into effect, that leaves more than 100,000 women in New York without their obstetricians," Ms. Wallens warned.
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