Keeping up with malpractice developments in three states

Malpractice rates continue to be a hot topic across the nation. Here's a look at recent developments in three states, as reported by the electronic newsletter American Health Line (9/16/05):

Connecticut Medical Insurance, a physician-owned malpractice insurer covering about 2,300 physicians, announced that premiums will remain the same in 2006. In addition, the insurer stated that covered physicians who have no malpractice losses and have had coverage with the insurer for at least 5 years will receive rate credits between 7.5% and 25%.

In Maryland, the state's Office of the Attorney General reassured the Maryland Insurance Administration that the state would continue to subsidize malpractice insurance costs, even if insurers do not raise premiums. This, despite a literal reading of law that mandates that the state stop subsidizing these costs if premiums do not increase.