Hospital Chiefs of Staff to March on Ohio Statehouse

Chiefs of Staff of Hospitals from Northeast Ohio and other cities around Ohio to march in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 bringing demands to the Governeor and the legislator for immediate relief via a freeze on Medical Malpractice Insurance rates, to pass House Bill 215, and due dillegence for attorneys. These immediate measures are necessary to protect healthcare for the public and to stop physicians from leaving Ohio and the practice of medicice.

Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) April 21, 2004 -- Frustrated by the ever increasing stream of physicians leaving their hospitals, the State of Ohio, and the practice of medicine, Chiefs of Staffs from hospitals in Northeast Ohio and other cities around the state are gathering in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday, April 21, 2004, for a March to Columbus. The purpose of the March is to bring their demands to Governor Taft; Larry Householder, Speaker of the House; Doug White, President of the Ohio Senate; and the legislature asking for immediate relief to keep physicians practicing medicine in Ohio. Time is running out on this legislative session and there is concern that Ohio will lose many more physicians before the next session if immediate measures are not taken. Physician Advocacy Group (PAG) is organizing the march.

At approximately 11:00 am, the group will march to the Verne Riffe Center on South High Street, across from the Capital Building. At the Verne Riffe Center, speeches will be made, names of Physicians who have left will be read and a series of demands for immediate relief will be addressed to Governor Taft; Larry Householder, Speaker of the House; Doug White, President of the Ohio Senate; and the legislature including:
"The Passage of House Bill 215
"A requirement of due diligence for malpractice attorneys and expert witnesses
"A freeze on medical malpractice insurance premiums and a rollback to the level existing on April 11, 2003 when Senate Bill 281 was signed
"A call for hard line investigation of Insurance Companies regarding Malpractice premiums and Reimbursement practices

An invitation will also be extended to Governor Taft, Larry Householder, and Doug White to participate in a Town Hall meeting on May 4, 2004 at the Capital Theatre in Columbus, Ohio, following a public Rally. Physicians, medical staff workers, and the general public will be invited to discuss these pressing issues that are threatening the future of health care in Ohio. The ability of patients to access health care is at risk.

Physician Advocacy Group (PAG) was formed by Dr. James L.Tasse, MD, JD, to address the issues of "Doctor Rage" and the "Doctor's Lounge Syndrome", whereby physicians feel helpless and frustrated regarding the current state of medical care, but feel they have no recourse. PAG is dedicated to physician support, as well as managing and finding solutions to these issues. PAG is seeking to establish a broad base of support from physicians, attorneys, administrators, journalists and others who support the right of patients to receive the best possible medical care, the interests of physicians, and the future of medicine. Information on PAG can be obtained at www.pagohio.com.            ;

For further information contact:
Carol Saferin, 440-461-6753
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