Collins Associates Third Annual Medical Professional Liability Forum Receives High Marks from Attendees

A presentation from AMA President Dr. Donald J. Palmisano, M.D., was among the highlights of the recent highly successful Third Annual Medical Professional Liability Forum hosted by John B. Collins Associates.

Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) April 23, 2004 --- A 90-minute presentation on the pressing need for and current state of medical malpractice tort reform from American Medical Association (AMA) President Dr. Donald J. Palmisano, M.D., was among the highlights of the recent John B. Collins Associates Medical Professional Liability Forum in Las Vegas. Our out-of control legal system is undermining patient safety efforts and adding billions of dollars to health care costs in America," said Dr. Palmisano. It is forcing physicians to limit high-risk procedures and refer high-risk patients, or even leave practice altogether. Fixing the broken medical liability system is the AMAs number one legislative priority -- because it doesnt matter if you have health insurance or a prescription drug benefit if you cannot find a doctor."

Other sessions at the by-invitation event included:
•A presentation on preventable outcome standards from Judy Moseley R.N., M.S. of Regions Hospital / HealthPartners;
•A session addressing the use of courtroom technology to demonstrate surgical techniques led by Dr. Patricia Gelnar of Graphic Surgery LLC;
•A discussion of the current medical malpractice litigation climate in the U.S. by James McGuire, Senior Partner at Mendes & Mount LLP;
•A presentation addressing the use of arbitration as an alternative to courtroom litigation from Peter Kezirian, Vice President of Strategic Business Development for CAP/MPT; and
•A panel discussion regarding industry trends, risk assessment and other topics featuring several leading reinsurance underwriters.

Executives from professional liability insurers and reinsurance providers who attended the conference gave it high marks for value. The forum was terrific! Definitely time well spent," according to Rick Nauman, Vice President of Underwriting at Louisiana Medical Mutual Insurance Company (LAMMICO). I thought the people presenting and format were both timely and informative. I left your forum concerned, intrigued, and encouraged by what various presenters had to say. It was definitely informative and a highly worthwhile use of my time," said Dave Riek, Senior Vice President at ACE Tempest Re USA.

Were gratified by the response from the forum attendees, as well as the growth weve seen in this event, from 30 attendees to nearly 100 in just three years," said Chip Ott, Senior Vice President at Collins Associates. Our goal has always been to provide relevant, actionable information to our clients as well as the broader marketplace."

For additional information on the Medical Professional Liability Forum, contact Chip Ott at 952-820-0012.

About Collins Associates
John B. Collins Associates is one of the largest reinsurance intermediaries in the world, and consistently ranks among the fastest growing. The privately-held company provides reinsurance and risk transfer assistance along with associated analytical services including catastrophe modeling, dynamic financial analysis and actuarial services. Collins Associates is a leader in the property & casualty, life/accident & health and agriculture/crop reinsurance segments. The company operates eleven offices across the U.S., in addition to London and Bermuda. Collins Associates maintains relationships with all major reinsurers. The companys Web site is at www.jbcollins.com.

For more information, contact Tom Pick, Director of Corporate Communications, at 952-820-1003 or info@jbcollins.com.