Malpractice Premiums and Tort Reforms do not cause Exodus
In the March 2008 edition of the Journal of Empirical Legal Studies research has been published revealing that most obstetrician-gynecologists do not relocate or close up shop because of liability risks and increases in malpractice premiums. This is contrary to the popularly held belief that dramatic increases in premiums cause relocation or discontinuation of their practices in high-cost states. Researchers led by members from George Mason University and the Harvard School of Public Health measured the effects of malpractice risk related to insurance premiums and tort reforms using the number of OB/GYNs in the United States between 1992 and 2002 nationwide. The study concluded that the number of OB/GYNs statistically had no significant relation to cost of malpractice insurance or tort reforms. In fact, it was found that most did not relocate out of state or discontinue their practice as well as causing any impact on helping states attract and retain OB/GYNs.
