Currently, the state’s Insurance Commissioner may conduct market studies to set the basic coverage level, which could potentially increase minimum coverage levels to as much as $750,000-$1 million, according to the report.
The legislation is supported by the Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society and the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association.
A 2002 state law provides physicians with an additional $500,000 in insurance coverage from the state-administered Mcare fund, which is funded by annual assessments paid by physicians. The recent bill was a response to actions by Governor Ed Rendell to divert $100 million from the fund to balance the state’s budget.
Read the Republican Herald‘s report on the Pennsylvania bill to reduce malpractice costs.
