Print
Comment
Rate
Medical reforms needed
There is little doubt the Arizona Legislature needs to act on medical tort reform.
Doctors in Arizona, faced with continuing high malpractice insurance rates, are retiring or moving to more accommodating states.
While the state in the past has attempted to enact legislation to remedy the problem, voters have not approved.
But the situation is getting critical, especially for those of us living in rural parts of the state. The impact of increasing medical premiums is being felt by a diminishing pool of general practitioners and specialists. They no longer wish to see 12-percent increases in already high premiums. Realistically, even with the best, least inexpensive form of insurance, doctors can count on a minimum of $5,000 to $6,000 per month in medical malpractice insurance costs alone.
For a view of how this can impact us, just look at what has happened in the availability of OB/GYN services in our county. Willcox, Bisbee and Douglas hospitals no longer deliver babies. Some are done at the Sierra Vista Regional Health Center - or women must go to Safford or Tucson. Why? Because doctors in the smaller rural communities don't have the volume of patients to cover the cost, and the risk is too great to a doctor who may deliver a pregnancy that goes awry.
There is no doubt that as Sierra Vista grows, the need for general practitioners, surgeons and specialists will grow as well.
Will they come when faced with higher-than-average medical premiums? Will they stay when they see at the very least 12-percent increases in those premiums every year?
The answer is evident to any clear-thinking person.
With the elections upon us, we urge you to ask pointed questions to incumbents and candidates seeking office for their position on this oh-so-important issue.
We urge the governor and the newly seated legislature to put this problem at the top of the pile when they convene. Tort reform is needed now, before all of rural Arizona finds itself having to travel to Tucson or Phoenix to receive medical care.
Doctors in Arizona, faced with continuing high malpractice insurance rates, are retiring or moving to more accommodating states.
While the state in the past has attempted to enact legislation to remedy the problem, voters have not approved.
But the situation is getting critical, especially for those of us living in rural parts of the state. The impact of increasing medical premiums is being felt by a diminishing pool of general practitioners and specialists. They no longer wish to see 12-percent increases in already high premiums. Realistically, even with the best, least inexpensive form of insurance, doctors can count on a minimum of $5,000 to $6,000 per month in medical malpractice insurance costs alone.
For a view of how this can impact us, just look at what has happened in the availability of OB/GYN services in our county. Willcox, Bisbee and Douglas hospitals no longer deliver babies. Some are done at the Sierra Vista Regional Health Center - or women must go to Safford or Tucson. Why? Because doctors in the smaller rural communities don't have the volume of patients to cover the cost, and the risk is too great to a doctor who may deliver a pregnancy that goes awry.
There is no doubt that as Sierra Vista grows, the need for general practitioners, surgeons and specialists will grow as well.
Will they come when faced with higher-than-average medical premiums? Will they stay when they see at the very least 12-percent increases in those premiums every year?
The answer is evident to any clear-thinking person.
With the elections upon us, we urge you to ask pointed questions to incumbents and candidates seeking office for their position on this oh-so-important issue.
We urge the governor and the newly seated legislature to put this problem at the top of the pile when they convene. Tort reform is needed now, before all of rural Arizona finds itself having to travel to Tucson or Phoenix to receive medical care.
 |
||
| A Closer Look: Public outcry against gay marriage surprisingly limited |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of willcoxrangenews.com.
