Ohio's Medical Liability Crisis
The letter below was mailed to patients of an Ohio obstetrician/gynecologist. In the letter, the doctor explains to his patients about the current “malpractice crisis,” its impact on his practice, and why his only choice is to stop practicing medicine. With the doctor’s permission, The Buckeye Institute shares this letter with you to illustrate the impact that the medical liability crisis is having here in Ohio.
June 23, 2003
Dear Friends,
As you know, our country is in the midst of its worst medical liability crisis ever. Hardly a day passes without a mention of the “malpractice crisis” in the newspapers or on the nightly news. In fact, just a couple of weeks ago, it was Time Magazine’s cover story. This is a national problem, and a truly frightening one. For example, Las Vegas had 130 obstetricians a year ago. There are now 75, and by the end of the year there will probably be only 40 left to care for the 23,000 women who deliver there each year. Women are driving to Utah and California for prenatal care. Closer to home, there were nine obstetricians in Athens, Ohio, a year ago. There are now four, and soon there will only be two who teach at the medical school. Some hospitals around the nation have closed their obstetric units.
On June 17, 2003, I received my professional liability insurance rate quote for the upcoming year, and it is 64 percent higher than last year’s rate. I have seen my premiums almost triple during the past two years, despite never having had a single penny paid out on my behalf in twenty-seven years as a physician. Even worse, during this time the insurance company has reduced the amount of coverage that I can purchase from $5 million to only $1 million, while jury verdicts have skyrocketed, often exceeding $3-4 million. If I were to purchase this policy, I would be putting all of my family’s personal assets at risk every time that I delivered a baby or performed surgery. I refuse to do that.
I have therefore decided to retire from private practice on July 31, 2003, the final day of my current liability insurance policy. This is not a decision I have taken lightly, but unfortunately it has become necessary. For many of you, I have been part of your life for years. I have delivered your babies, and helped you through some of life’s most difficult challenges. It has truly been an honor.
There is a silver lining in every cloud. I am looking forward to being able to devote more time to teaching medical students and obstetric residents, a pursuit that has occupied about a third of my professional time during recent years. I will also be able to spend more time with my wife and family, who I have often neglected during the past years due to the responsibilities of my practice.
Thank you again for the honor of being your physician. I will miss each and every one of you.
Sincerely,
(Author’s name withheld by request)
