AMA thanks officials for tort reform law

Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2002 | 9:48 a.m.

The American Medical Association is running advertisements in Nevada newspapers today thanking Gov. Kenny Guinn and the state Legislature for adopting new tort reforms in response to rising medical malpractice insurance rates.

Assembly Bill 1, passed by the Legislature in special session two weeks ago and signed into law last week by Guinn, places caps on damages for pain and suffering. The law becomes effective on Oct. 1.

"Faced with thousands of people left without access to critically needed medical care, Nevada's leaders this month took decisive action," the AMA ad reads. "For too long, trial lawyers have blocked liability reforms. Their tactics have deadlocked action. The resulting disruption in access to care in Nevada convinced lawmakers to put patient care first."

The ad also praises the Nevada State Medical Association and other physician groups that pushed for the reforms.

"Working with Nevada's physicians, lawmakers have taken some of the most significant policy actions to address medical liability in three decades," the ad states.

The AMA has urged Congress to pass federal tort reform legislation that would place caps on damages for pain and suffering. Advocates of caps say they curb high-dollar malpractice jury awards and make it easier for insurers to know how much to charge for premiums.

Critics of caps, including lawyers representing malpractice victims, say they place unconstitutional restrictions on juries. Instead, they believe the solution is to reform the insurance industry.