Hospitals report 17% decline in liability premiums under Texas reform law

[CAL/AAEM News Service]

Hospitals report 17% decline in liability premiums under Texas reform law

August 24, 2004


Texas hospitals are beginning to see savings in their medical liability costs following
enactment of medial liability reform legislation in September 2003, according to a survey
released today by the Texas Hospital Association. Professional liability premiums at the
hospitals surveyed declined an average 17% for the period 2004-2005, compared with
average increases of 23% in 2002 and 54% in 2003. Most hospitals plan to reinvest those
savings in patient care, including expanding patient safety programs, updating equipment,
and enhancing patient services and access to care, the survey found. They also are
finding it easier to recruit physicians under the 2003 law, which included a $250,000 cap
on non-economic damages and other liability limits. For more on the survey, visit
www.thaonline.org/PressRoom/index.asp. 


Source: American Hospital Association  


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Cyrus Shahpar & Brian Potts 
Managing Editors, CAL/AAEM News Service 
UC-Irvine


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