President's Update - Medical Malpractice

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President's Update - Medical Malpractice

15 January 2010

Dear Colleagues,

As we have previously reported, at the conclusion of the 2009 General Assembly session, Sen. Henry Marsh and Del. Dave Albo requested that MSV enter into discussions with the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (VHHA) and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (VTLA) regarding the medical malpractice system in Virginia.

This communication is to give you an update on the process. The stakeholders met three times, in confidential meetings, discussing a range of tort and liability issues. While no consensus was reached, the talks were cordial and informative. Recognizing the uncertainty that the proposed national health care reform measures may have on physicians and the liability climate, the stakeholders agreed to continue their discussions this spring upon the conclusion of the 2010 General Assembly session.

In the meantime, the VTLA has agreed not to introduce any legislation during the 2010 General Assembly session that would alter the current medical malpractice cap. While VTLA is not planning to introduce legislation this year, should members of the General Assembly introduce bills to alter the cap, MSV, VHHA and VTLA have pledged not to support such bills.

Throughout the General Assembly session, MSV will remain vigilant and committed to defeating any bill that threatens the current cap and will keep members updated on this issue.

Dan Carey, M.D.
President, Medical Society of Virginia

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Comments: 1

AS A PRACTICING OBGYN IN RICHMOND, ALWAYS JUST ONE LAWSUIT AWAY FROM BEING ABLE TO CARE FOR THE WOMEN OF VIRGINIA, I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED TO HEAR OF SUCH REASONALBE COOPERATION FROM ALL THREE GROUPS (MSV,VHHA AND VTLA) WITH THESE DISCUSSIONS. IT RESTORES MY FAITH IN ALL THREE GROUPS RECOGNIZING A MUTUAL PROBLEM WITH THE MALPRACTICE SYSTEM. I WANT TO THANK ALL INVOLVED FRO YOUR DEDICATED SERVICE TOWARDS A REASONABLE SOLUTION TO VIRGINIA CITIZENS AFFECTED BY MEDICAL MALPRACTICE. CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE IN DEALING WITH VERY DIFFICULT AND COMPLEX ISSUES. SINCERELY, A VIRGINIA OBGYN PRACTIONER

anonymous at 2/25/2010 6:46:20 PM

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