Other groups in the state are deferring equipment purchases. Perhaps worst of all, physicians like Dr. Latos say that too many of their colleagues are turning to defensive medicine to keep out of trouble. For three years, he has tried to recruit another urologist with no success, even though he's contacted every urology fellowship program in the country and paid outside recruiters. One potential candidate claimed he was interested until an attorney mentioned the state's tough liability climate. He decided he'll probably head to Maryland instead.
Physicians say rising insurance costs only further damage the practice environment.
Pa. Medical Society Physicians in southeastern Pennsylvania are also having a tough time. A major factor behind rising rates in southeastern Pennsylvania has to do with the growth of integrated health systems. Philadelphia-based health care systems have built massive physician networks in surrounding counties and suburbs over the past several years. Lawsuits that would normally be heard in the suburbs and outlying areas are now being tried in Philadelphia, where juries typically give much higher awards. That put Pennsylvania in second place for the highest median malpractice payments in the country in 1999, just behind New York.