An influx of doctors lured to Texas by new limits on malpractice lawsuits has overwhelmed the state board that screens candidates for medical licenses, creating a backlog that forces many applicants to wait months before they can start seeing patients.
The board received 4,000 applications for medical licenses in 2006, up from 2,992 the previous year. Spokeswoman Jill Wiggins said the board expects to approve 2,750 new licenses this year, 235 more than last year. There is a backlog of more than 2,398 applications.
The average malpractice insurance premiums in Texas have fallen by 21.3 percent since 2003, when lawmakers and voters implemented a $250,000 cap on non-economic damages such as pain and suffering in malpractice cases, according to Jon Opelt, who leads a group of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers that fought for the changes.
I can’t help but think that if this happened after the tort reform, Hurshell Ralls’ manhood would only be worth $250,000.
Thanks to Barry for posting this on his blog.