MARCH TO COLUMBUS
April 21st, 2004
- Press Release
- PAG Viewable Item - WSYX Columbus Television News clip
- Physician Demands
- Plain Dealer Article
- Pictures from March
Precious little time is left before the legislators go home for the summer (effectively ending any chance for legislative relief in 2004). On April 21st the Chiefs of Staff of 16 hospitals along with approximately 150 physicians from around Ohio marched down S. High Street in Columbus to demand immediate relief from the effects of the malpractice crisis. The Chiefs o Staff read the names of physicians from their hospitals who had been forced to leave the state or retire early. They demanded that the legislature pass House Bill 215 (Due diligence by plaintiff attorneys), investigate insurance companies, place some of the burden of the current crisis on Malpractice Insurance Companies (Senate Bill 204 freeze premiums), and develop other immediate relief measures (homestead exemption, malpractice surcharge to HMOšs, eliminate $1/3 million requirements by reimbursement insurance companies). State Representative Tim Grendell (Chester Township in Geauga County) also announced proposed legislation that would funnel $50 million from a tobacco use prevention fund to help defray physician malpractice costs. PAG representatives then visited the offices of the Governor, President of the Senate Doug White, and Speaker of the House Larry Householder to urge them to attend a Town Hall Meeting at the Ohio Theatre in Columbus on May 4th. They were presented with a 3 x 4 foot poster listing the physician demands (see link to physician demands in this section) and urging them to attend on May 4th. This was the third request presented to their offices to attend the May 4th meeting.
Physicians, office staff, patients and general public are urged to join together in a rally on the West Plaza of the State Capitol on May 4th to raise awareness of the need for immediate relief. A large gathering is needed for the rally as well as for the Town Hall Meeting following immediately after in the Ohio Theatre across the street. Individual meetings will be arranged for physicians to meet with select legislators prior to the rally. These physicians will briefly report on the meetings at the rally. After the rally the Town Hall Meeting will afford attendees an opportunity to ask tough questions including:
What have you done to address the demands physicians presented on April 21st?
What are you doing to resolve this crisis before the legislature adjourns May 27th?
Agenda:
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Physician/patient meetings with legislators
11:00 AM to noon - Rally on West Plaza of Capitol
Noon to 12:30 - Lunch (provided by individual hospitals)
12:30 to 2:30 PM - Town Hall Meeting in Ohio Theatre across the street
2:30 PM - Adjourn
If you have questions contact PAG by phone: 440-590-2999
or E-mail at
info@pagohio.com.
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