Lawmakers in Florida are considering using a cap on malpractice awards to lure physicians into the state's low-paying Medicaid program, according to a report by the Palm Beach Post.
Under the plan, being developed by the legislature's GOP majority, physicians would be considered agents of the state and entitled to a $100,000 cap on damages for each adverse incident, which is already accorded to government entities such as county health departments. However, the legislature plans to reduce state Medicaid funding.
A Florida Medical Association spokesman said many physicians avoid Medicaid because of low reimbursements, but they might be "more likely to participate" if they were given immunity from lawsuits. Democratic lawmakers said reducing physicians' liability is simply a political ploy by Republicans at odds with trial lawyers allied with the Democrats.
The federal government has to approve such a change. The legislature has already passed a measure telling Congress the state wants to revamp its Medicaid program and now a state senator is holding a series of meetings on what the proposed changes should be.
Read the Palm Beach Post report on malpractice.
Read more about malpractice lawsuits.
-Study Finds 42% of Physicians Have Been Sued for Malpractice
-Medicare to Start Claiming Share of Malpractice Settlements Next Year
-New York City Judge Teams Up With Hospitals to Lower Malpractice Costs
Under the plan, being developed by the legislature's GOP majority, physicians would be considered agents of the state and entitled to a $100,000 cap on damages for each adverse incident, which is already accorded to government entities such as county health departments. However, the legislature plans to reduce state Medicaid funding.
A Florida Medical Association spokesman said many physicians avoid Medicaid because of low reimbursements, but they might be "more likely to participate" if they were given immunity from lawsuits. Democratic lawmakers said reducing physicians' liability is simply a political ploy by Republicans at odds with trial lawyers allied with the Democrats.
The federal government has to approve such a change. The legislature has already passed a measure telling Congress the state wants to revamp its Medicaid program and now a state senator is holding a series of meetings on what the proposed changes should be.
Read the Palm Beach Post report on malpractice.
Read more about malpractice lawsuits.
-Study Finds 42% of Physicians Have Been Sued for Malpractice
-Medicare to Start Claiming Share of Malpractice Settlements Next Year
-New York City Judge Teams Up With Hospitals to Lower Malpractice Costs