Nev. Gov. to Call Special Session to Deal With Med- Malpractice Crisis

Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn is set to call a special session of the Legislature within the next few weeks to deal with the state’s medical malpractice crisis, according to the Associated Press.

Saying he will ask for the special session even if insurers, doctors and lawyers fail to agree in the next few weeks, Guinn said he originally wanted the three interests to come together on a solution before bringing together the 63 legislators to give the okay to reforms.

Doctors have been pressing for long-term reform, saying they want awards on medical malpractice lawsuits capped. In order for that to occur, the Legislature would have to pass a new law.

Guinn has been in meetings with doctors since the start of the year after St. Paul Cos.—that represented 60 percent of the state’s doctors—left the malpractice insurance market. Guinn requested doctors, trial attorneys and insurers to begin a series of talks designed to result in a solution—while putting a clamp on rhetoric and media events.