Understanding the First Malpractice Crisis of the 21st Century

Understanding the First Malpractice Crisis of the 21st Century

Professional liability insurance crises in medicine have been intermittent, reaching magnitudes sufficient to generate widespread concern only in the mid-1970s, the mid-1980s, and 2002-2003. It is easy for health policymakers and the public to view each crisis as an upswing of the same pendulum. Malpractice premiums rise, doctors accuse lawyers, lawyers point back at doctors, and legislatures debate tort reform in arcane and repetitive terms ("collateral source offsets," "noneconomic damage caps," etc.).

This experience of déjà vu, however, is misleading. The current crisis is not simply a reprise of events in the 1970s or 1980s.

The principal difference this time around is that malpractice liability is clearly connected to overall health policy.

America’s Overdose Crisis
America’s Overdose Crisis

America’s Overdose Crisis

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America’s Overdose Crisis

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37 Scientists Pioneering the Future of Biomedical Research

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Biomedical researchers are at the heart of nearly every medical advancement. From cutting-edge cancer treatments to breakthrough discoveries about emerging viruses, these scientists use creativity and ingenuity to explore new horizons in human health and medicine. And for nearly 40 years, The Pew Charitable Trusts has supported more than 1,000 early-career researchers committed to this work.

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Learn the Basics of Broadband from Our Limited Series

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How does broadband internet reach our homes, phones, and tablets? What kind of infrastructure connects us all together? What are the major barriers to broadband access for American communities?