THE HIGH COST OF GETTING SICK
THE CAUSES OF MEDICAL INFLATION (contd.)
- High malpractice insurance costs for doctors as premiums have risen by 30% per year
- In 1978, 1 in 30 doctors was sued for malpractice while in 1984, 1 in 6 was sued
- Average size of jury award peaked at better than $ 1.4 million in 1986
- Pass-on of malpractice costs to consumers
- Practice of expensive “defensive” medicine