Malpractice reforms demanded by doctor petitions introduced

A bill to implement medical malpractice reforms demanded by Southern Nevada doctors was introduced in the Nevada Senate Wednesday.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, said SB97 would implement those reforms, but is not restricted like the petition that doctors presented to the Assembly.

SB97, Amodei said, is designed to bring the doctors' plan before lawmakers for discussion. The big difference is that SB97 could be amended.

"It's not the petition. That has to be voted up or down," he said.

The proposal would strictly limit damages in medical malpractice cases and limit the amount lawyers can collect from damage settlements. Southern Nevada doctors say the bill is necessary because it will hold down insurance premiums, which have skyrocketed for more than a year.

That problem hasn't been nearly as severe in the northern part of the state as in the Las Vegas area.