| The
PIAA maintains an active and proactive Government Relations Department
in order to meet the needs of its members. As the
source in Washington, DC of information on medical liability insurance
and surrounding issues, the PIAA has established a reputation for
providing timely, accurate, fact-based information to government leaders
and other organizations. Government officials (from members of
Congress to those at the highest levels of the Administration) know they
may turn to the PIAA for the full picture on what is happening on
medical liability issues and what will have a positive impact on the
accessibility and affordability of medical liability insurance.
Through providing this information, the PIAA is able to help shape the
future of legislation and regulations.
To further strengthen its efforts on
behalf of federal medical liability reform, the PIAA has helped form
several coalitions of like-minded organizations to coordinate and unify
federal policy shaping efforts. By working with these other
entities, the PIAA may more effectively promote the goals of our member
companies and other insureds. For instance, the PIAA and more than
30 other organizations formed the Health Care Liability Alliance, now
known as the Health Coalition on Liability and Access (HCLA) in 1993 to
promote federal medical liability reform. The PIAA holds one of
HCLA's officer positions, and maintains a strong voice on the
organization's Board. In addition, the PIAA is very involved in
the American Tort Reform Association, and as an executive committee
member of the National Practitioner Data
Bank. |
The
PIAA supports the following list of reforms that have been successfully
implemented in California and other states and have reduced the cost of
malpractice insurance while preserving the rights of claimants.
- Establishing an effective but
reasonable cap on non-economic damages
- Providing
periodic payment of future awards
- Making
juries aware of collateral source benefits and preventing recovery
or subrogation of those benefits
- Maximizing
patient recovery by limiting attorney contingency fees
- Implementation
of risk management and patient safety initiatives
- Encouraging
a speedy resolution of claims with a reasonable statute of
limitations
- Encouraging
effective alternative dispute resolution mechanisms
The PIAA also supports other
legislative and regulatory efforts to improve patient safety, correct
our system of torts, and ensure the availability of adequate medical
liability insurance to this nation's health care providers.
|
