Lawsuit Reform has been the number one legislative priority for the Oklahoma State Medical Association for the last 6 years. The 2007 legislative session will be no different. With the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s recent action striking down the requirement for a Certificate of Merit before a lawsuit can be filed, reinstitution of that provision in a manner that will withstand legal challenge as defined by our supreme court will be at the top of our agenda. This one provision was not only actively supported by OSMA when it was passed by an overwhelming majority of the legislature in 2003, but it was the one issue in the entire lawsuit reform package passed that year which also had the support of the Oklahoma trial bar. This requirement has done more to eliminate the filing of frivolous lawsuits in Oklahoma and every state where it has passed than any other lawsuit reform issue. And it has been done without denying access to the courts for those patients who have been truly harmed.

We will continue to support other lawsuit reform issues that will preserve our patients’ access to quality care and our physicians’ opportunity to provide that care. Stabilization of the cost and availability of professional liability insurance is our goal so that we don’t find our physicians retiring early, leaving the state for a more stable lawsuit environment, or giving up the more legally risky parts of their practice such as delivering babies. We know what those issues of lawsuit reform are because we have seen them work toward those goals around the country where they have passed other legislatures and have stood up to legal challenges.

We will be at the legislature working on your behalf for these common-sense lawsuit reform issues. We also need your help. Respond to calls for action when we need help in educating the legislature on these issues. Explain why they are important in guaranteeing that you will be able to continue providing quality care to your patients.

TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER!!!

Jack J. Beller, M.D.