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.  

May 8, 2023 by matray

The Medical Professional Liability (MPL) Association has announced that the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine (SIDM) will receive its 2023 Award of Excellence in Patient Safety. SIDM is being honored for its role as a leading force in the medical community in addressing patient safety. The MPL Association is the leading international organization representing the medical professional liability insurance community.

SIDM catalyzes and leads change to improve diagnosis and eliminate harm from diagnostic error. The organization works in partnership with patients, their families, the healthcare community, and every interested stakeholder. SIDM is the only organization focused solely on the problem of diagnostic error and improving the accuracy and timeliness of diagnosis.

In 2015, SIDM established the Coalition to Improve Diagnosis to increase awareness and actions that improve diagnosis. Members of the Coalition represent hundreds of thousands of healthcare providers and patients, and the leading health organizations and government agencies involved in patient care. Together, stakeholders work to find solutions that enhance diagnostic safety and quality, reduce harm, and ultimately, ensure better health outcomes for patients.

“SIDM is pleased and honored to receive your recognition of our efforts towards reducing patient harm through this award! As the only organization whose sole focus is to foster and support efforts and policies aimed at reducing patient harm, we believe that every person will be a patient at some time, and therefore deserves equitable access to safe care,” said Jennie Ward-Robinson, SIDM chief executive officer. “We remain steadfast and dedicated to achieving our goal and your recognition strengthens our resolve to continue collaborating with patients, healthcare professionals, and organizations within the healthcare ecosystem to identify and address patient safety gaps that will reduce harm. Only together we can ensure that patients receive the care they deserve with the best possible outcomes."

“We applaud the leadership and accomplishments of SIDM to develop innovative solutions to reduce medical errors arising from misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, or missed diagnosis,” said John H. Mize, MPL Association Board Chair and SVMIC president and chief executive officer. “On behalf of the MPL Association Board and its members, I am pleased to honor SIDM with this award.”

The MPL Association Award of Excellence in Patient Safety is presented to individuals or organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to enhancing patient safety and improving healthcare through systemic improvements. The award will be presented at the 2023 MPL Association Conference on May 18 in New Orleans.