Doctors cite poll in reform push

Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2002 | 10:45 a.m.

Nevada's medical malpractice insurance reform law has been in effect just nine days and doctors already are firing a first significant shot to change it.

A poll released Tuesday by a group called Keep Our Doctors in Nevada says that nearly nine of every 10 Nevada voters want to be given a chance to vote on additional reforms to Assembly Bill 1, which was signed into law by Gov. Kenny Guinn in August following a special Legislative session. It went into effect Oct. 1.

"To fix the system we need additional reforms" said Dr. Rudy Manthei, chairman of the group that is a coalition of obstetrician/gynecologists, physicians, surgeons, patients and taxpayer advocates.

"AB 1 was a good start, but doctors continue to leave the state and pregnant women are still desperately searching for qualified doctors."

The poll, conducted by an organization called The Tarrance Group, queried 600 registered voters in mid-September. It found that 89 percent of voters want a chance to vote on additional reforms in 2004 and that 83 percent support additional reforms.

The poll says 54 percent of voters believe that AB 1 will have either no effect or a negative effect on Nevada's medical malpractice lawsuit system.

Doctors are in the midst of a petition drive to collect 61,336 signatures to force the Legislature to reconsider the measure next year. Manthei says they have about 27,000 signatures and have until Nov. 12 to collect the rest.

Attorneys are questioning the validity of the poll and urge people to give the law that covers lawsuits filed after Oct. 1 a chance.

"Its unfortunate a group of disgruntled doctors will not allow this law to work," said Bill Bradley, a lobbyist for the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association and its former president.

"The California (tort reform law) these doctors are pushing for is grossly unfair to innocent victims of medical malpractice. It has proven not to lower insurance premium and it allows for negligent doctors to avoid accountability.

"You must question the validity of this poll, because well-designed questions can elicit targeted responses."

Bradley said the Legislature already has taken an analytical look at the issue and that the merits were debated. He noted that doctors helped lawmakers reach the final draft and that many doctors support AB 1.

Insurance officials have estimated that it could take as long as two to 10 years before malpractice insurance premiums drop significantly.