(COMTEX)B: Doctor Proposes Not Treating Some Lawyers ( AP Online )
B: Doctor Proposes Not Treating Some Lawyers ( AP Online )
CHICAGO, Jun 13, 2004 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- A doctor's proposal asking the
American Medical Association to endorse refusing care to attorneys involved in
medical malpractice cases drew an angry response from colleagues Sunday at the
annual meeting of the nation's largest physicians group.
Many doctors stood up to denounce the resolution in passionate speeches - even
after its sponsor, Dr. J. Chris Hawk, asked that it be withdrawn.
Hawk, a South Carolina surgeon, said he made the proposal to draw attention to
rising medical malpractice costs. The resolution asks that the AMA tell doctors
that - except in emergencies - it is not unethical to refuse care to plaintiffs'
attorneys and their spouses.
"It expresses the frustration I have with a broken system," said Hawk. He said
doctors are leaving his state or retiring early because of insurance premiums -
making it harder for patients to receive care.
Neurologist Michael Williams said although he understood Hawk's frustration, the
resolution never should have been introduced because it seeks to discriminate
against a group of people.
The resolution left the AMA "a really big mess to clean up," Williams said.
For years, the AMA's top legislative lobbying priority has been the medical
malpractice system, and some delegates said the resolution could hurt those
efforts by giving trial lawyers ammunition.
AMA committees considered more than 250 reports and resolutions Sunday. The
committees will make recommendations to the group's delegates, who will begin
voting Monday afternoon on policies to adopt.
By TARA BURGHART
Associated Press Writer
Copyright 2004 Associated Press, All rights reserved
-0-
APO Priority=r
APO Category=1500
KEYWORD: CHICAGO
SUBJECT CODE: 1500
*** end of story ***
"i'm just a happyidiot,struggling for that legal tender" jackson brown> 
AI
