May 8, 2023 by matray

The Medical Professional Liability (MPL) Association has announced that the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) will receive the 2023 Award of Excellence in Public Policy. ATRA is being honored for its role in bringing greater fairness, predictability, and efficiency to America’s civil justice system. The MPL Association is the leading international organization representing the medical professional liability insurance community.

ATRA is a nationwide network of state-based legal reform coalition organizations backed by 142,000 grassroots supporters with a strong track record of enacting and defending civil justice reforms. The organization was founded in 1986 by the American Council of Engineering Companies and has attracted a diverse membership of nonprofits, small and large businesses, and state and national trade, business, and professional associations. It is the nation’s first organization dedicated exclusively to tort reform and liability reform through public education and the enactment of legislation.

“All of us at ATRA appreciate very much this recognition for the work we do to reform the nation’s civil justice system,” said Tiger Joyce, ATRA president. “Abuses of the legal system reduce access to lifesaving healthcare, increase its costs unnecessarily, and hinders the overall economy. ATRA is committed to addressing these issues in the legislatures, in the courts, and through broader public education about the impacts of lawsuit abuse. We appreciate greatly our partnership with the MPL Association and look forward to continuing it this year and beyond.”

“The Association is pleased to honor ATRA with this award, especially given the surge in large verdicts and erosion of laws protecting healthcare providers across the country. It is vital that the MPL community comes together in support of the defense bar,” said John H. Mize, MPL Association Board Chair and SVMIC president and chief executive officer. “We applaud ATRA and its commitment to promoting equity and justice in the U.S. legal system.”

The MPL Association Award of Excellence in Public Policy is given to organizations, government officials, or private citizens who have undertaken exemplary efforts to recognize and advance the public policy needs of the MPL community. The award will be presented at the 2023 MPL Association Conference on May 18 in New Orleans.