1601 N. Tucson Blvd. Suite 9 Tucson, AZ 85716-3450 Phone: (800) 635-1196 Hotline: (800) 419-4777 Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, Inc. A Voice for Private Physicians Since 1943 Omnia pro aegroto

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact:	Kathryn Serkes (202) 333-3855 Page (206) 769-5417 kaserkes@worldnet.att.net www.aapsonline.org
Date:	May 16, 2002 7 - 9 pm
Location:	UNLV, Stan Fulton Building, 801 E. Flamingo, Las Vegas NV
Event:	"Medical Malpractice Insurance Crisis - Life Support vs. Long Term Solutions" Public meeting on medical malpractice solutions
Speakers:	Michael Glueck, MD, nationally syndicated legal/medical columnist Legislative Director, American Tort Reform Assoc. Richard Jost, Esq, Director, Governor's MLAN Commission Larry Matheis, MD, Nevada State Medical Assoc. Steve Miller, Nevada Policy Research Institute Lonnie Hammargren, MD, MS, former Nevada Lt. Governor
Co-sponsors:	Assoc. of American Physicians & Surgeons & Nevada Policy Research Institute

Physicians are shutting their doors rather than practice without malpractice coverage, and patients are feeling the pinch. News stories tell how women are forced to go out-of-state to have their babies.

The Governor's emergency bail-out for medical malpractice insurance premiums is moving forward. But how long can a stop-gap government program using tax dollars shore up a crumbling system? How does the bail-out affect the likelihood of long-term reform? And what's the effect on patients' access to care?

Before politicians open a Pandora's Box in response to a crisis, all issues should be examined in a thoughtful way. Will it just delay an inevitable implosion and make matters worse? How much should Nevada taxpayers be made to pay to subsidize premiums? And for how long? What can be done to encourage private insurers to return to or remain? How does the Governor's emergency plan mesh with long-term solutions?

While the Governor and legislature continue their efforts to reform the malpractice insurance market, the private sector isn't waiting. AAPS, a national professional association of physicians, and NPRI, a policy think-tank, have invited national and local experts to describe successful reforms in other states, free market industry answers, a model legislation reform package, and tort reform necessary for a long-term solution.

The public - doctors, patients and taxpayers - is invited to attend this dynamic public hearing. Q & A will follow the presentations.