Doctors lobby Oklahoma lawmakers

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Doctors from across Oklahoma were at the state Capitol Wednesday asking lawmakers to do something about the rising cost of malpractice insurance. <br><br>Governor Brad Henry has formed

Wednesday, February 26th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Doctors from across Oklahoma were at the state Capitol Wednesday asking lawmakers to do something about the rising cost of malpractice insurance.

Governor Brad Henry has formed a task force of lawyers, doctors and other health care providers to study tort reform and malpractice insurance.

State Senator James Williamson of Tulsa says Oklahoma's tort system is the prime cause of rising malpractice insurance rates in the state. He says higher insurance costs means higher medical costs for patients.

Senator Glenn Coffee of Oklahoma City says high malpractice insurance costs could force doctors out of the profession or make them unwilling to perform risky procedures.