Advocacy

The Tennessee Medical Association and the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society are dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness and well-being of members while protecting the health care interests of patients. We are strongest when we work together and when organized medicine represents all doctors, regardless of specialty differences, practice affiliation or political parties. We are the only unified group in Tennessee fighting for doctors.

Liability Reform. Since TMA’s 2008 Medical Liability Reform Law went into effect there have been 50% fewer lawsuits filed in Tennessee. Fewer lawsuits have led physicians to spending 20 to 50% less on their liability insurance premiums. TMA, local medical societies, and our members led the charge to reform our medical liability system and the first significant reforms in decades were signed into law in 2008. In 2009, we also passed a bill to provide privileged status to peer review done by medical groups. In 2011, we won caps on non-economic damages in malpractice lawsuits. This victory was the result of a long-term fight in the Tennessee General Assembly.

The fight to maintain a favorable liability system is ongoing. Every year new legislation is introduced to chip away at these reforms, but organized medicine remains alert and active to preserve this progress.