Declarations

Med mal

“Stabilizing measures taken in the last few years by the Ohio Department of Insurance and the Ohio Legislature to reverse Ohio’s medical liability insurance crisis continue to show positive results.”

Director Ann Womer Benjamin comments on the downward trend in rates by domiciled medical malpractice insurers. Medical Protective Co. became the first insurer in six years to lower rates when the department approved a 5 percent decrease in January. A decrease of 3.6 percent from American Physicians Assurance Corp. went into effect Nov. 1, the department said. The OHIC Insurance Co. increased its rates by 2.3 percent after six years of hikes in the double digits, and the Medical Assurance Co.’s rate revision didn’t change its average rates, according to the department. The department said the effort to stabilize rates in Ohio includes a 2003 state law that limits the amount of jury awards in malpractice lawsuits. Insurance companies had blamed high jury awards for higher rates.

Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published or reproduced with permission.

Elected or appointed

“I like the idea of people electing officials and having direct power through their vote … I’m a populist, but also a conservative and a Republican.”

Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine comments on the debate between elected and appointed insurance commissioners after the recent mid-term election. Oxendine revealed that he had spent $3 million by Halloween in his 2006 bid for reelection, while George Dale, eight-term Mississippi insurance commissioner, currently in his 31st year of service, said he never spent more than $150,000 on a campaign.

Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published or reproduced with permission.

Agenda 2007

“I can’t wait to get started.”

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels said after the election that he would spend the coming weeks outlining specific proposals he will push during the 2007 legislative session, including detailed plans for full-day kindergarten and health insurance for low-income residents. Daniels said he would announce a new infrastructure proposal related to the Interstate 69 extension between Indianapolis and Evansville.

Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published or reproduced with permission.