Little more than two months after its first meeting, the D.C. Council Committee on Health Taskforce on Medical Malpractice released a report today calling for changes in three broad areas: civil justice, patient safety, and insurance regulation. Most of these recommendations will be included in legislation to be introduced in mid-September.

Committee on Health Chairman David Catania praised the eight-member taskforce for finding consensus on this thorny issue.

"This report reflects common sense goals that the medical and legal communities can support. Relying on other proposals that have no chance of becoming law will ultimately leave patients and doctors in the same unenviable situation they find themselves in today," Catania said referring to Mayor Williams' plan to limit injury awards. A majority of the D.C. Council continues to raise objections to award caps.

Since late May, representatives of the legal and medical professions as well as patient advocates have gathered at the behest of Chairman Catania to address pressing issues concerning medical malpractice in the District of Columbia. They were charged with creating a set of policy recommendations for the Committee on Health that address challenges surrounding medical malpractice in the District.

In its 18-page report, the Taskforce calls for legislation requiring that patients inform doctors of their intent to bring legal action against them at least 90 days in advance. Once a suit has been filed, the group recommends that mediation be mandated. Finally, a doctor's benevolent gesture, such as expressing sympathy, should not be considered if a case makes it to court.

The report goes on to suggest patient safety measures that include the creation of a database to track malpractice claims, a study of claims made against OB/GYNs, and the improved performance of the government agency that oversees the Board of Medicine.

To encourage greater transparency in the insurance industry, the Taskforce recommends making public average insurance rates and the data used to justify rate increases. The report also calls for the collection and publication of judgment and settlement information.

A copy of the report and a list of Taskforce members may be found by following the link to the Committee on Health at www.davidcatania.com.