By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, Mo. – Missouri doctors' insurance premiums
increased by nearly 50 percent last year. But the doctors' medical malpractice claims rose by only about six percent.
The information is in a report just released by the state Insurance Department.
The report found that claims against doctors rose from 663 in 2001 to 703 last year.
The report says premiums, claims and pay-outs are on the rise. However, it says awards paid to victims didn't keep pace with increasing medical costs, wages and injury severity.
The Legislature passed a bill this spring with new restrictions on medical malpractice claims and other injury lawsuits. Governor Holden vetoed it.
The issue is expected to return in the session that gets under way next month.