Hospitals’ Behavior In A Tort Crisis: Observations From Pennsylvania

Authors

Michelle M. Mello
Carly N. Kelly
David M. Studdert
Troyen A. Brennan
William M. Sage, Texas A&M University School of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2003

Journal Title

Health Affairs

ISSN

0278-2715

DOI

10.1377/hlthaff.22.6.225

Abstract

Pennsylvania, like many states around the country, is in the throes of a “tort crisis.” The cost of professional liability insurance for physicians and hospitals is escalating rapidly, as its availability shrinks. Many hospitals are poorly situated to bear these rising costs, especially in an environment of flat reimbursement rates and poor investment returns. This paper examines the impact of the liability crisis on Pennsylvania hospitals and the strategies being used to weather the storm, including alternative risk financing and closer ties between hospitals and affiliated physicians. It concludes by connecting these trends to larger medical malpractice policy issues.

First Page

225

Last Page

233

Num Pages

9

Volume Number

22

Issue Number

6

Publisher

Project HOPE

Recommended Citation

Michelle M. Mello, Carly N. Kelly, David M. Studdert, Troyen A. Brennan & William M. Sage, Hospitals’ Behavior In A Tort Crisis: Observations From Pennsylvania, 22 Health Affs. 225 (2003).
Available at: https://scholarship.law.tamu.edu/facscholar/1735