Medical malpractice breakthrough touted

By Doug Nadvornick, Spokane Public Radio

Washington Governor Christine Gregoire today (Monday) announced what she calls a breakthrough in an attempt to reform the state’s medical malpractice system.

Gregoire says, after weeks of negotiations with representatives of doctors, trial lawyers and insurance companies, all parties have agreed to support a compromise bill. Among other things, that bill would give the state insurance commissioner the authority to review and approve requests for increases in medical malpractice insurance rates. It would allow doctors to apologize for medical mistakes without worrying that their statements will be used as admissions of negligence. It would also make changes that encourage arbitration and other ways of keeping disputes from going to trial.

Gary Morse from Physicians’ Insurance, the major malpractice insurer in Washington, says his company supports the compromise, even though it will mean more work and expense.

“Well, our company will have to engage in some revamping of our computer system,” Morse said. “We will have to begin to collect some data that we have never collected before. We will have to change our timelines and systems for non-renewing policies. We will have to make certain that we provide more complete information to policy holders our reasons for non-renewal, reasons for premium increases, reasons for reductions in coverage.”

The compromise bill received a hearing in the Senate Health Care Committee today. Several who testified said it’s a bill that should still be refined, but that it’s a positive breakthrough in a years long battle over medical malpractice.

Last fall, Washington voters defeated two malpractice initiatives, one proposed by doctors, the other by lawyers.