MED-MAL COALITION FORMED:

Medical specialty groups, hospitals, insurers and chambers of commerce have joined the Rhode Island Medical Society in a coalition to push for reform of medical malpractice laws. The Patients First Coalition has about 60 members. The legislation they support would reduce interest paid on awards and provide incentives to expedite cases but would not impose caps on jury awards. The coalition’s bill is similar to one filed by Gov. Donald L. Carcieri.

Without tort reform, the coalition says, malpractice insurance rates will drive some doctors to leave the state and some hospitals into financial trouble.

Neither NORCAL nor ProSelect, the state’s two commercial malpractice carriers, have hopped aboard the Patients First bandwagon yet. However, the Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association, the insurer of last resort, and the state’s two major health plans, UnitedHealthcare of New England and Blue Cross & Blue Shield, have signed up. The group has set up a Web site, www.patientsfirst coalition.org.