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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Philip Gilbert, Executive Vice President
(904) 355-6561
E-mail: evp@dcmsonline.org

The Duval County Medical Society is Shocked at Senate
Judiciary Committee’s Medical Malpractice Reform Package

Jacksonville, FL (April 10, 2003) The Florida Senate’s Judiciary Committee’s medical malpractice reform package has failed the people of Florida, and the Duval County Medical Society expresses shock at the legislators’ apparent lack of understanding and concern regarding Florida’s healthcare crisis.

Instead of focusing on the root causes of the current medical liability crisis, the Senate has elected to toss aside the highly researched and documented findings of the Governor’s Task Force. They have decided to proceed with protecting the interest of a few trial lawyers over the health and welfare needs of the citizens of Florida and those who visit our state, by refusing to address caps on non-economic damages.

The action of the Florida Senate Judiciary Committee will do little to nothing in solving the medical liability crisis, but goes a long way in forcing the medical delivery system in Florida into a “meltdown.”

The Duval County Medical Society will continue to do everything possible to keep our local medical delivery system operating and available to meet the needs of our members’ patients. However we need everyone’s help in contacting each member of the Duval Legislative Delegation. We must demand that the politics stop and the critical health and welfare needs of the people be addressed – immediately.

--- At least 100 surgeons have walked off and the county has declared an emergency. I have started a work slowdown. We need help from FR to publicize our problem with the trial attorneys. Sen Jim King is blocking tort reform legislation either because he has been bought off or the trial lawyers have dirt on him. The sleazebag is vacationing in Italy this week.