Greenwood doctor touts tort reform

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
April 16, 2002
A fourth generation Mississippi physician who has closed his surgical practice was in Meridian on Monday touting tort reform to local business leaders.
Dr. John Lucas III, a general surgeon from Greenwood, told members of the Meridian Rotary Club he stopped his practice on Feb. 22 due to the high cost of medical malpractice insurance and Mississippi's litigious climate.
Lucas blames the lack of civil justice reform for the malpractice problems across the state and said nearly all Mississippi doctors are affected.
Lucas is touring the state, speaking at various public meetings about the importance of tort reform, particularly a set of proposed guidelines from the Mississippi State Medical Association.
His solution: "They have to be educated by an overwhelming grassroots public support or voted out of office," he said.