The president of the American Bar Association says leaders of his group are trying to meet privately with the leaders of the American Medical Association to come up with a “reasonable” solution to the medical malpractice crisis. A-B-A president Dennis Archer spoke at the Iowa State Bar Association convention Wednesday, and he says doctors are “rightfully” concerned about sky-high medical malpractice insurance rates. Archer met several months ago with the leaders of the American Medical Association. Archer says he suggested the leaders of the two groups should get together and discuss the issues “without fingerpointing” and without “taking out our long-knives and getting into the blame game.” Archer’s term as leader of the Bar Association is nearly over, but he hopes such behind the scenes discussions will be held, and that the insurance company is part of the discussion.Archer says he thinks “reasonable minds can come together” and find a solution to the problem. A member of the American Medical Association recently proposed that doctors deny medical care to attorneys who pursue “frivolous” medical malpractice lawsuits, but the resolution was tabled as many doctors cited their commitment to healing and oath to do no harm to patients. Archer is an attorney from Michigan and has also served as Detroit’s mayor.
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