You Don't Say...
8%
The percentage of resident physicians who stayed in Pennsylvania following training to practice medicine in 2004. It was 24% in 2002 and 50% in 1994.
16%
That's how much health care spending will consume nearly of America’s GDP this year! That’s $6,400 for every American—nearly twice the $3,400 spent in 1993. Two reasons: Rising malpractice insurance rates and added tests and procedures prescribed to help insulate docs from lawsuits.
$275,000
A general surgeon’s annual malpractice premium in Miami. Head up I-95 to north Georgia and the same coverage costs just $17,000.
27.6
Percentage of women who gave birth by cesarean section in 2003, an all-time high. The sharp increase comes, as hospitals frequently limit women from having a VBAC (vaginal birth after a C-section), because of liability concerns. Your body, hospital's choice it seems.
79
Percentage of docs in 2002 who say they order patients to have more tests done than necessary, because of malpractice lawsuit fears.
43
Percentage who seriously considered leaving medicine given the stresses of the current medical liability system.
Heard some wild figures related to the liability crisis? Let us know.ThisMakesMeSick answers renowned medical inventor Dr. Robert Fischell's wish to spread awareness (and outrage!) about the medical liability crisis that's ruining our healthcare system.
We want to hear your thoughts and personal stories.
Have you...
• Fretted over rising malpractice premiums?
• Signed a truly unbelievable medical liability waiver?
• Faced a frivolous lawsuit?
• Dealt with a doctor or a hospital who wouldn't take responsiblity for their actions?
• Practiced defensive medicine?Let us know about groups and individuals offering real solutions. And be sure to add your comments to our posts.
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"This election destroyed a popular Karl Rove myth. The truth is that trial attorneys are winning, attacks on trial attorneys are backfiring and opponents of the civil justice system are losing."
The CEO of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America said.
"We have discovered that virtually all patients are willing to sign a contract in which they agree not to sue their doctors on frivolous grounds."
Jeffrey Segal, M.D, a board-certified neurosurgeon and the founder and president of Medical Justice Services, Inc., said.
"Low-risk obstetrics has been done here for 60 years, but not anymore."
Carl Hanson, chief operating officer of the county-run Minidoka Memorial Hospital in southern Idaho hospital's, explained as they get out of the baby business. Read
"I have children, and I don't know where they're at."
Rosalinda Elison, a former patient at the UC Irvine Medical Center’s fertility clinic, said after learning that that her eggs and embryos had been stolen and implanted in another woman who then gave birth to twins.
Read more You Don't Say, here.
$4.6 million
New York state grants available to expand the use of electronic medical records. Such initiatives have been hailed nationally as a way to cut medication errors, save money and improve patient safety. LINK
$700,000
Amount raised by Fairness and Accountability in Insurance Reform to oppose malpractice limits in Arizona. LINK
$450,000
Amount the Arizona Medical Association says Arizonans for Access to Health Care has raised to decide whether to push for montetary limits on lawsuits. LINK
Read more CRISIS BY NUMBERS, here.
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