Medical Society Calls on Governor and State Legislature to Restore Cuts to Excess Medical Malpractice Program 

For Immediate Release
March 29, 2021  

Medical Society Calls on Governor and State Legislature to Restore Cuts to Excess Medical Malpractice Program 

Statement Attributable to:
Bonnie Litvack, MD
President, Medical Society of the State of New York 

“As the State Legislature and Governor work to finalize the State’s Budget over the next 24 or so hours, it is imperative that they agree to restore the huge cuts to New York’s essential Excess Medical Malpractice Insurance Program.

“It is shocking that, as we approach Doctors’ Day on March 30—which is a time to acknowledge the enormous sacrifices made by our state’s dedicated physicians as they respond to our patients’ needs during the pandemic—the 17,000 frontline physicians who depend upon this coverage could face as much as tens of thousands of dollars in new costs if the Governor’s proposed Executive Budget cut is implemented.  Given the significant drop in patient visits and revenue, these cost impositions would come at the worst possible time.

“We deeply appreciate that both the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate propose to restore the funding to this essential program in their respective one-House Budgets. And we are grateful that New York reportedly received sufficient funds in the recent federal stimulus package to restore proposed cuts.  Yet somehow physicians are still facing the prospect of this devastating cut and imposition of these enormous new costs. It makes no sense whatsoever.

“We urge the Governor and Legislature to work to continue the historical funding for the Excess program, which exists to ensure New York’s patients do not lose access to essential care due to the State’s extraordinarily high liability costs.”

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Founded in 1807, the Medical Society of the State of New York is the state’s principal non-profit professional organization for physicians, residents and medical students of all specialties. Its mission is to represent the interests of patients and physicians to assure quality healthcare services for all. 

Media Contact:
Roseann Raia
Communications / Marketing
Medical Society of the State of New York
865 Merrick Ave.
Westbury, New York
516-488-6100 ext 302 
rraia@mssny.org