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"DROP DEAD" WEEK FOR MALPRACTICE CRISIS - West Virginia Short On Access To Care |
| (11/27/2001) |
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By Bob Weaver Providing health care in rural West Virginia has always been a challenge, but the current malpractice crisis may take the cake. One of the last malpractice insurers is pulling out of the state, leaving most physicians without coverage and hospitals in a quandary. The West Virginia Legislature is in a special "drop dead" session this week to consider solutions. During the earlier session, some legislators spent most of their time blaming Governor Bob Wise. Wise told the legislature it was now a legislative problem, and it is time to legislate a solution. The crisis is a stand-off between power-players, insurers, physicians and lawyers. The West Virginia Medical Board reported last week that juries sided with physicians in two-thirds of all cases in West Virginia during the past seven years. Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center in Grantsville says their long-term care unit and hospital beds will have to be closed if a solution is not found by January 10, 2002. Charleston Area Medical Center has advised the public their emergency room will close and the hospital will no longer be able to provide surgery unless a last minute solution is formulated. While Minnie Hamilton will be able to continue providing primary physician care, CEO Barb Lay has grave concerns where MHHCC can send specialty cases for treatment, like heart attacks or orthopedic problems. Meanwhile, a federal report by Quality Resource Systems says many West Virginia counties are under served with health care. They cite 14 counties with insufficient doctors. The report also listed 34 counties as being under served. Calhoun County, with Minnie Hamilton, remains a positive example of delivering care under difficult circumstances.
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