Malpractice Reform Efforts:

The National Conference on State Legislatures reports a lower pace of State Malpractice Reform Legislation in 2005, with 19 states proposing bills, down from 48 states in 2005. They also appear to doubt that federal legislation will be proposed, and they themselves oppose a federal solution.
Texas Rates Drop On Prop. 12 Passage

Bitter Fight Goes To Ballot in Malpractice Showdown: Four States (FL, NV, OR, WY) have measures for reform and caps on November Ballot. "We have open warfare..." Nevada State Medical Association. Read it here

NY Neurosurgeons met in New York City September 20th, 2004
and key points of that meeting, with their reform recommendations are linked here.
It is a fine summation of the problem, and sobering assesment of the challenge.

Doctors for Malpractice Legislation Reform, have an organized effort to make a difference for doctors and patients at a Federal level. We summarize their effort.They have four organized campaigns to change the Senate: GA, NC, SC, WA, with more information here.

Combined Specialties, 230,000 MDs Strong, Struggle For Reform And A New Senate
Four States in Bitter Ballot Showdown For Reform
Tort Reform Update: Bush Team Goes For Drug Liability Reform By Regulatory Route
The Election And Tort Reform, What Is The Implication of Who Wins?
Florida Medical Malpractice "Third Crisis" and Legislative Proposal
  Govenor's Proposal ,Current Legislative Action May Be Superseded By Ballot
Florida Medical Association and Trial Lawyers propose dueling issues for public vote.

Senate S 2061, part of an incremental effort to protect specialites, is withdrawn failing Cloture.
By a vote of 48-45 the motion to invoke cloture was not agreed to. The Senate will not move to the Medical Malpractice bill.
Current Legislative Strategy. S. 2061 was the first in a series of “incremental” bills that will be introduced in the U.S. Senate this year. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a comprehensive medical liability reform bill – H.R. 5, the HEALTH Act -- in March of 2003. However, a similar billed failed in the Senate last July when Republicans were unable to gain enough votes to override a Democrat-led filibuster. In an effort to keep the issue of medical liability reform front and center and provide a bill that is “conferenceable” with the House bill, Senate Republican leadership, with the support of President Bush, has opted to hold votes on a series of smaller, targeted bills that have a greater chance of passage. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons support this approach as the best possible tactical option available to us at this time.
An excellent discussion by a board panel on malpractice in Illinois.
A further article on Illinois malpractice, and a legislative proposal.
Texas passes noneconomic damages limit
Florida Limits reported to not have a practical impact.

                                                Legal Case Decisions:
Doctor liable for not giving enough pain medicine

                                               From the Plaintiff's Side:
Senate votes on class action status,

                                  Factors at work in Malpractice Cases:
Hindsight bias is insidious and not readily appreciated. Hindsight can interfere with the exercise of clinical judgment. Medical malpractice plaintiffs are favoured by hindsight bias.

                                                 Countersuing:
Fighting frivolous lawsuits: Doctors engage in an uphill battle
Doctors Can Fight Back : Physician's Money Digest
Docs Return Fire: Countersuing in frivolous malpractice case
Medical Justice Partners with Local Insurance Brokers to Battle "Frivolous" Malpractice Lawsuits
Medical-Justice helps physicians with organized countersuits.

                                    Insurance Deceptions and Risks:
Insurance Scams in Florida

                                    Expert Witness Testimony, Issues:
Florida MD Loses License Based on Expert Testimony
Update: Expert Witness: Gary Luntsgarten

                                       Malpractice Issues By State:
Pennsylvania malpractice reform fails, physicians pay higher premiums
Florida Crisis Spreads to Entire State
Georgia Declared Crisis State
Decreased Insurance Availability in Florida
South Florida Medical Malpractice Stats

                                          Insurance Strategies:
Going Bare in Florida

                                                New Risks:
Three Strikes and You're Out