title: MSMS sees opportunity for meaningful change.
abstract: The Michigan State Medical Society believes there is a real opportunity for professional liability reform in Michigan. In our view, the likelihood of such reform has increased significantly during the past several months for three major reasons. The most important factor is the election of Governor Engler, who has indicated that medical liability reform is his top health policy priority. Governor Engler appears to view liability reform as a key step toward improving access to health care, containing health care costs, and improving the quality of health care. Second, data released by Professor Robben Fleming, former Governor Blanchard's factfinder on liability, shows that Michigan hospitals and physicians pay extremely high professional liability premiums--just under $500 million annually. Finally, the recent Hutzel Hospital decision, in which the plaintiff won a judgment of $19 million, has focused tremendous media attention on the liability problem in Michigan.
authors.affiliation: MSMS Task Force on Professional Liability.
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Stone
mesh_terms: D007351:Insurance, Liability / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008824:Michigan; D012955:Societies, Medical