10-03-2008, 01:10 PM
"""Hiller, Arcena, Bellatti and Dr. Josh Green, a state representative and now a state senator-elect from Kona, each said increasing reimbursement costs and having the money sent directly to the care provider are crucial to bringing in and retaining physicians in Hawai'i.
What would also help, Arcena said, are new laws governing malpractice suits and limiting the amount plaintiffs can win for pain and suffering.
"We've found that in 85 percent of the malpractice lawsuits filed in Hawai'i there's no type of settlement given," Arcena said. "But just because no money is paid out doesn't mean it was free. Defending the average case costs about $150,000."
Green believes changing Hawai'i's climate for doctors could be easy.
"People are finally becoming more aware of the shortage on the Neighbor Islands, and that something needs to be done," Green said. "My goal is to get a compromise (on tort reform) and increase reimbursement. If you do that you'll be able to attract doctors to the state, the greatest place in the world to live.""""
That sounds like a good strategy to me.
What would also help, Arcena said, are new laws governing malpractice suits and limiting the amount plaintiffs can win for pain and suffering.
"We've found that in 85 percent of the malpractice lawsuits filed in Hawai'i there's no type of settlement given," Arcena said. "But just because no money is paid out doesn't mean it was free. Defending the average case costs about $150,000."
Green believes changing Hawai'i's climate for doctors could be easy.
"People are finally becoming more aware of the shortage on the Neighbor Islands, and that something needs to be done," Green said. "My goal is to get a compromise (on tort reform) and increase reimbursement. If you do that you'll be able to attract doctors to the state, the greatest place in the world to live.""""
That sounds like a good strategy to me.