House Committee Hearings Called on Military Medical Malpractice

Congressman Maurice Hinchey has asked the chairmen of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Judiciary Committee to hold hearings on a bill he has introduced to provide servicemen and woman with the right to hold the military accountable for medical malpractice. The bill is named for the late Sgt. Carmelo Rodriguez of Ellenville, who died of skin cancer after a series of what the family claims were mistakes by military medical personnel. Hinchey said current military practices of review are inadequate and are not dealing with medical issues. “It is so ineffective, as in the case of Carmelo Rodriguez that they are allowing people to lose their lives,” he said. Hinchey’s bill would reverse a U.S. Supreme Court ruling dating back to 1950 which said military members and their families have no right or ability to sue the military for negligent medical care given to them during their service.

Please click on the link below to read the Mid-Hudson News article:

http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/June08/09/milmedmal_Hinchey-09Jun08.html

For more information on defending medical malpractice and nursing home matters in Florida contact Howard Citron at The Citron Law Firm, P.A. – www.citronlegal.com.

Medical Malpractice Insurance Rates May Go Down, but Doctors Want Bigger Drop

Medical malpractice insurance premiums appear to be falling, evidence that Pennsylvania’s climate for hospitals and doctors is improving, according to a state association representing trial lawyers. But medical groups say the size of malpractice awards in Pennsylvania is rising faster than elsewhere, discouraging doctors from opening practices and making it difficult for hospitals to do business. “Any reduction is great news for us, but we still have a ways to go,” said Jack Krah, executive director of the Allegheny County Medical Society. “We’re in a competitive environment for medical personnel.” Earlier this month, the Joint Underwriting Association, a nonprofit Plymouth Meeting, Pa.-based agency, asked the state to reduce overall medical malpractice premiums by 4.4 percent. The Insurance Department has 60 days to review the filing. Hospitals and doctors are required to carry malpractice insurance, and the Joint Underwriting Association provides coverage when it’s not available from commercial carriers.

Please click on the link below to read the Pittsburgh Business Times article:

http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2008/06/02/story6.html

For more information on defending medical malpractice and nursing home matters in Florida contact Howard Citron at The Citron Law Firm, P.A. – www.citronlegal.com.