Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report Features Medical Malpractice News from Three States
Newspapers recently reported on developments related to medical practice in three states. The Honolulu Advertiser reports the Hawaii legislation that would have put a $250,000 cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases failed to pass Hawaii's House Judiciary Committee earlier this month. Gov. Linda Lingle (R) proposed the bill as a way to improve access to care in rural areas that are experiencing a shortage of specialty physicians because of high malpractice insurance premiums. After reviewing testimony in support and opposition to the bill, lawmakers could not agree on a dollar amount to cap damages that they considered to be "fair".
