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U.S. PIRG Consumer Blog
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February 27, 2006
Medical Malpractice Insurance "Crisis" Over
The PIRG-backed Americans for Insurance Reform (AIR) has a new study out using industry data to document the wholesale decline of medical malpractice insurance rates nationwide. The AIR study also shows that this phenomenon is occurring whether or not states enacted restrictions on patients' legal rights, such as "caps" on compensation. The medical malpractice insurance "crisis" is over, according to the study. Of course, the insurance industry's Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers has put out a shrill release which says "Any respectable consumer advocacy group would realize that this is simply an organization representing the interests of criminal trial lawyers and trying to stymie any meaningful reform for medical malpractice and the tort and liability system." Actually, just about every "respectable" consumer group in the United States backs AIR. If you find one that opposes AIR, please let me know. And, even for an industry group, I find their reference to trial lawyers as "criminals" just a little over the top. We don't always agree with the trial lawyers and we think some of them could do a better job (previous blog), but they are critical allies when consumers seek justice.
Posted by Ed Mierzwinski at February 27, 2006 04:59 PM
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