Patients are suffering: Malpractice costs are a major reason why specialists are in short supply in PA

“Dr. Jack Wilberger, chairman of neurosurgery, Allegheny General Hospital: ‘There are no neurosurgeons between Pittsburgh and Erie, which is a huge space, and no neurosurgeons east of Pittsburgh until you get close to Harrisburg.’

And he says it’s tough to get anyone to come fill the slots in neurosurgery, general surgery, ob-gyn, orthopedic surgeons and trauma.

Currently, there are 4,000 board-certified neurosurgeons in the country. More than half are over age 50. Only 100 new ones come out every year. Pennsylvania trauma centers are 132 surgeons short.

One reason: the cost of malpractice insurance in Pennsylvania. It’s only part of the problem, albeit a major part.

Also, consider that Pennsylvania has the lowest reimbursement rates for surgeons of anywhere in the country.

Wilberger says malpractice rates — $90,000 for a neurosurgeon — are rising at triple the inflationary cost each year, while reimbursements are going down. It’s a bad combination.”