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Healthcare bill drafted
by lawyers, doctors and senators
by Sonya Artero, KUAM News
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
After a string of weekly meetings to address the medical malpractice
liability cap, representatives from the island's medical and legal industries
have joined legislators to reach an agreement to finalize the details
of a drafted bill. Such was the word from president of the Guam Medical
Society Dr. Geoffrey Galgo, who says the proposal entails that the Government
of Guam will assume the risk for the first $500,000 in any malpractice
award, through the Government Claims Act.
Anything in excess of $500,000 and physicians will have to assume the
risks on their own or secure supplemental malpractice insurance. The total
malpractice awards cannot exceed more than $1,000,000. In addition, Dr.
Galgo says, as part of a give and take relationship those physicians interested
in participating will be made to take care of both Medically Indigent
Program and Medicaid patients. Besides increasing access to help the government
take care of its underserved population, Galgo says this bill would also
help recruit more medical specialists to the island.
Once the language is ironed out, the bill, which was co-sponsored by
Speaker Mark Forbes (R) and Senator Bob Klitzkie (R) should be introduced
in about four to six weeks.
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