MSSNY President Paul Hamlin, MD, Praising Liability Reform Message of NYC Corporation Counsel Cardozo

ALBANY, NY (09/27/2011)(readMedia)-- "The physicians of the State of New York applaud New York City Corporation Counsel for his message in his speech to the Citizens Budget Commission that reform of New York's dysfunctional liability adjudication system is essential to achieving budget savings both for New York City and New York State. We whole heartedly agree with Mr. Cardozo. In a time of financial crisis and budgetary cuts, the $561 million (spent by New York City alone) is not just a huge number. It represents an unacceptable expense which clearly reduces the access of New Yorkers to needed services."

"As part of the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) proposals advanced earlier this year, Governor Cuomo proposed comprehensive medical liability reform. If enacted, it was estimated that those reforms would have saved over $200 million per year in our State Budget alone. Unfortunately, those proposals were not included in the final State Budget."

"As New York will again face significant Budget deficits in the next fiscal year that will again force consideration of painful cuts to needed services for New Yorkers, we urge that the New York State Legislature reconsider the medical liability reform proposals recommended earlier by the MRT as one way to reduce the need for such painful cuts."

Medical Society of the State of New York

99 Washington Avenue, Suite 408

Albany, NY 12210