Published: 02-04-09
Senator Troy Fraser held a press conference with the Texas College of Emergency Physicians (TCEP) Tuesday morning to announce the rise in emergency physicians providing care across Texas—a direct result of a medical liability reform passed in 2003.
TCEP said lower malpractice premiums have particularly helped rural areas add specialists and emergency room doctors.
At one time emergency physicians were more concerned about being sued as they cared for patients than actually taking care of the patient.
House Bill 4 passed during the 78th Legislative Session capped non-economic damages in malpractice suits at $250000 per defendant. Dr. Greenberg of the TCEP said that since 2003 other states had lost physicians but Texas had gained them.
“The wedge between patients and physicians has been removed now because of this liability reform” said Greenberg.
Intentions for this medical liability reform law have become reality according to Sen. Fraser. New insurance providers now provide more insurance in the state and the law has acted as a stimulus to attract and keep more doctors in Texas.
“This law is working we are successful in what we’re doing” said Fraser.
TCEP told press that 76 counties in Texas have experienced a net gain in emergency physicians since the passage of medical liability reforms five years ago. Also noted was the fact that 24 counties did not previously have emergency physicians. Of those 24 counties 22 are rural.
Dr. Dawn Buckingham an ophthalmologist in Austin said that liability reform has made a huge difference in the ophthalmology practice alone as well as the new access to patient care.
“My own liability rates have dropped two-thirds. Before this reform I had two options for my liability insurance and I now have over 20 companies to choose from” said Buckingham.
“Doctors are running from other states where there’s a liability crisis and are coming to Texas and providing more access to care for Texas patients.”
