RAND: PPACA Will Increase Number Of Medical Malpractice Claims

A new study released by the RAND Corporation has found the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will increase the number of medical malpractice cases.

For the study, RAND researchers examined how the PPACA might operate across different liability lines and how the impacts might vary across states given existing laws, population and demographics.

RAND researchers concluded the increase in the number of people using the healthcare system because of the PPACA could trigger a corresponding increase in the number of medical malpractice claims made against physicians and other healthcare providers.

The increase in the number of medical malpractice claims will also likely drive the cost of malpractice insurance higher, according to the study.

"The Affordable Care Act is unlikely to dramatically affect liability costs, but it may influence small and moderate changes in costs over the next several years," said David Auerbach, PhD, the study's lead author and policy researcher at RAND.

While the study primarily focuses on the short-term impacts of health reform, the researchers also suggest the PPACA could have additional long-term impacts, such as modifications of tort law and changes in the number of practicing physicians.

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