AMA Launches New Liability Reform Grassroots Initiative;
Involves Patients in Fight for Meaningful Reform
WASHINGTON, April 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Patients heading to the doctor's office will have more than magazines
to read in the waiting room. Starting this week, physicians can request "Physician Action Kits" that include waiting
room posters and patient brochures on the medical liability crisis from the American Medical Association (AMA).
These kits are part of the AMA's new grassroots initiative to urge patients to contact Members of Congress about
the need for medical liability reform. "Our hope is that as patients contact their Senators in support of medical
liability reform, lawmakers will be invigorated to take action on this issue soon after they return to Washington,"
said AMA President Yank D. Coble, Jr. MD.
"This liability crisis is threatening many patients with limited access to care," Dr. Coble said. "The voices of
physicians are loud and united for medical liability reform, but patients also need to show that they won't accept this
situation any longer."
To provide patients with up-to-date information on the crisis and solution, the AMA is introducing the "Patient
Action Network" that includes a toll-free number and Web site. Patients can call or go to the Web site to sign-up
for e-mail issue updates and directly contact their legislators to urge them to support medical liability reform. The
patient hotline number is 888-434-6200 and the physician hotline number is 800-833-6354. Patients and
physicians can access Web sites specifically designed for each group at www.ama-assn.org/go/patients and at
www.ama-assn.org/go/grassroots.
"Poll after poll has shown that Americans support medical liability reform and we're thrilled to have the support of
our patients. It's heartbreaking to train for years to provide specialty medical services, then be forced to step aside
because of skyrocketing liability costs," Dr. Coble said.
Seventy-three percent of Americans support reasonable limits on "pain and suffering" in medical liability cases, while still allowing full compensation for lost wages and medical costs, according to a poll by Wirthlin Worldwide released last month by the Health Care Liability Alliance (HCLA).
Pennsylvania, one of the states hit hardest by the medical liability crisis, and an original AMA crisis state, will be the
focus of AMA grassroots efforts over the Congressional recess.
The AMA National House Call program is visiting Scranton, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh this week. Leaders from
the AMA and the Pennsylvania Medical Society are working together to bolster awareness on the need for reform
among Pennsylvania media and the public. Radio ads will also air in conjunction with these visits.
"We're doing everything we can to let lawmakers know that this crisis is growing, and without reform many more
patients will be unable to get the care they need," Dr. Coble said. Physician rallies in Chicago, New York City and
throughout the state are planned for the coming weeks to show physician support for medical liability reform.
The AMA supports national reform that includes a cap on non-economic damages, based on proven reforms
working in California and other states. "In California, where reforms are in place, an ob-gyn pays $72,000 a year
for insurance; but in Florida, where there are no reforms, an ob-gyn pays $211,000 for insurance. That's a
dramatic difference, and one that should concern all Americans who want quality care throughout the country," Dr.
Coble said.