SEN. WILLIAMS INTRODUCES PHYSICIAN TAX CREDIT LEGISLATION

HARRISBURG, August 8, 2002 - - State Senator Connie Williams today announced that she has introduced legislation that would give active physicians a 10 percent tax credit off the cost of medical malpractice insurance. The tax credit would apply to any professional insurance premium, surcharge, payment or other cost or expense required as a condition of licensure.

"This legislation is a small way to ease the medical malpractice insurance crisis that physicians and hospitals are currently facing in Pennsylvania," Williams (D-Montgomery/Delaware) said.

Williams said that her legislation would also apply to those hospitals which would provide medical malpractice insurance to its physicians.

"I have received hundreds of letters, E-mails and telephone calls pleading for medical malpractice reform so that doctors can continue to practice in Pennsylvania and patients can continue to see those doctors they know and trust," Williams said.

"I am confident that my colleagues will agree that this legislation is a small step as we work to find a real and permanent solution to the medical malpractice insurance crisis we are currently facing in Pennsylvania."