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Highlands Today

Release from liability

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Jim Rahenkamp

Published: September 15, 2009

Physicians and pharmacies need dual billing: Liability and release from liability; a release from liability charge would likely be about 20 percent as much as a liability charge.

When an obstetrician's annual malpractice insurance and redundant lab work of $300,000 is divided by a 250-day work year, the obstetrician needs $1,200 per day just to cover liability, which must be passed to the patient.

The obstetrician's charge for our first baby was $100, which included both prenatal visits and delivery. Of course, this was before the days of a score of malpractice vultures searching for the slightest excuse to sue.

Sadly, if I understand correctly, the 1,000-page health bill has no provision for tort reform.

Since most of our senators and representatives are attorneys, we have the fox guarding the chicken house. Don't expect them to cut off their noses to spite their faces.

Jim Rahenkamp
Avon Park

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