AMA Welcomes Early Signs of Improvements in Medical Indemnity Affordability
AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, today welcomed the findings of the ACCC price monitoring report that shows some falls in average medical indemnity premiums.
Dr Glasson said these early signs are an indication that the Government's medical indemnity reform package of 2003 and State tort law reform are starting to have the desired effect.
"This is good news but you have to remember that these slight reductions are coming off very high premiums for medical indemnity, well over $100,000 a year for some specialists," Dr Glasson said.
"What these figures show is that the brakes have been applied to spiralling medical indemnity costs, but we are yet to see the premiums get some traction in reverse gear.
"It is true that doctors are more confident with the medical indemnity environment, but there is still some way to go on the security front.
"For doctors to remain in the system there must be absolute certainty that the Government remains committed to all elements of the reform package.
"We welcome the report's findings and look forward to the downward trend in premiums continuing in a uniform way across all medical specialties," Dr Glasson said.