Texas Medical Liability Reform Bill Signed into Law

May 19, 2003

Senate Bill 339, which addresses the medical liability crisis in Texas was signed into law by Texas Gov. Rick Perry. The bill allows flexible insurance policies to be written by the Joint Underwriting Authority, the insurer of last resort, and allows health care providers to make premium payments in an installment plan.

According to an announcement on the Senate Web site the bill, authored by Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, and sponsored by Rep. John Smithee, R-Amarillo, takes effect immediately.

“We established the JUA as an insurer of last resort because physicians across Texas have had their policies dropped while numerous underwriters have left the Texas market,” Perry stated. “Under this new law, the JUA will be able to offer policies for terms less than one year so physicians and health care providers can continue to shop for affordable coverage from a private sector underwriter.”

Topics Texas

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