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Who cares
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Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A9036
- Ordered to third reading cal.716
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to extending the dates for increasing and imposing malpractice and professional medical conduct insurance rates
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Richard Gottfried
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend chapter 266 of the laws of 1986, amending the civil practice law and rules and other laws relating to malpractice and professional medical conduct, in relation to the effectiveness thereof
PURPOSE
This bill would extend for one more year the freeze on medical malpractice premium rates for physicians and surgeons, and prevent a surcharge on premiums, until June 30, 2010.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends Chapter 266 of the Laws of 1986 to provide that between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010, the Superintendent of Insurance ("Superintendent") shall not: (1) increase medical malpractice insurance rates for physicians and surgeons; and (2) impose a surcharge on premiums to satisfy a deficiency attributable to established premium rates for prior years.
Section 2 of the bill provides that this bill would take effect immediately.
Existing law
The Superintendent currently establishes premium rates for medical malpractice insurance for physicians and surgeons on an annual basis. The law requires the Superintendent to impose a surcharge on premiums to satisfy a projected deficiency attributable to established premium levels for prior years. The Superintendent of Insurance is not permitted by law to establish or approve a rate increase or impose a surcharge on premiums until June 30, 2009.
Statement in support
Currently, the Executive, the Legislature and stakeholders are engaged in discussions to develop long-term solutions to the medical malpractice problem confronting the state. The aim of these discussions is to provide premium relief for physicians, enhance patient safety and stabilize the medical malpractice insurance sector. However, the Superintendent is required to evaluate the adequacy of rates and the necessity for imposing a surcharge on premiums. This could lead to a significant premium increase even while these important discussions proceed.
This bill would stabilize premiums for physicians and prevent a surcharge on premiums until June 30, 2010, while providing the Executive, the Legislature and stakeholders with additional time to develop long-term solutions to this complex problem. Doing so would also avoid a significant financial burden on physicians in the short-term.
Budget implications
This bill would not have an impact on state finances.
Effective date
This bill would take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.