TRENTON — An assembly panel approved a bill today that would renew a fund to help pay medical malpractice liability insurance for doctors who practice in areas with a high risk of being sued. Dr. Sharon Mass, vice chair of the New Jersey section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said New Jersey OB/GYNs pay the seventh...
A March 2010 file photo of the Assembly Chamber.TRENTON — An assembly panel approved a bill today that would renew a fund to help pay medical malpractice liability insurance for doctors who practice in areas with a high risk of being sued.
Dr. Sharon Mass, vice chair of the New Jersey section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said New Jersey OB/GYNs pay the seventh highest liability insurance premiums in the nation.
"Fear of being sued is one of the biggest barriers to care throughout our state and our nation," she said.
The subsidies are funded through an annual surcharge of $75 on doctors, dentists, lawyers, and $3 per employee on businesses.
The bill was approved by the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee along partisan lines. Assemblyman Vince Polistina (R-Atlantic) said it fed into a vicious cycle.
"We can’t have the highest taxes in the nation, the highest insurance premiums in the nation, and continue to increase taxes to pay for the highest insurance premiums in the nation," he said.
Previous coverage:
• State helps high-risk doctors pay malpractice bills
• N.J. faces shortage of doctors caused by 'morale problem' among physicians
• Bill would limit rate hikes for medical malpractice insurance