Res. No. 1170
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to amend the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation Act to allow private physicians and surgeons in high-risk specialties to purchase professional liability insurance from the Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) in exchange for minimal employment with HHC hospitals.
By Council Members Crowley, James, Rose, Halloran and Koo
Whereas, The New York County Medical Society has found that, from 2003 to 2008, physicians practicing in New York State experienced a rise in malpractice insurance premiums, ranging from 55% to 80% from the previous amount; and
Whereas, Physicians and surgeons in high-risk specialties such as obstetrics,
emergency care, general surgery and neurosurgery have few professional liability
insurance policies to select from and are charged at overwhelming rates for such
insurance coverage; and
Whereas, Some areas of the city have few physicians or surgeons practicing
in high-risk specialties, and thus residents in such areas have a lack of accessibility to
medical care related to these specialties; and
Whereas, The Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) offers professional liability insurance policies to many of its physicians and surgeons that have lower rates than comparable plans offered by private insurance companies; and
Whereas, The HHC is an entity that was created and is ultimately regulated by
New York State, and its professional liability insurance options are also regulated by
New York State; and
Whereas, The New York State Legislature is capable of establishing a private-
public partnership to provide physicians and surgeons in high-risk specialties with the
option to purchase professional liability insurance policies offered by the HHC, who in
exchange would be required to maintain minimal employment with hospitals operated by
the HHC; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York
State Legislature to amend the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation Act to
allow private physicians and surgeons in high-risk specialties to purchase professional
liability insurance from the Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) in exchange
for minimal employment with HHC hospitals.
ML
LS # 1941
6/23/11