One of Governor Blunt's first actions when he took office was to begin to address the health care crisis occurring in Missouri. In 2005 Governor Blunt championed and signed legislation that combats frivolous and abusive medical malpractice lawsuits, which were driving family physicians and other caregivers out of practice in Missouri, especially in smaller communities and rural areas.

Last month, the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration reported that the Governor's reforms have improved the medical malpractice market in Missouri through a 61% decline in new medical malpractice claims as well as a 27% increase in total closed claims.

Check out this article from the Springfield Business Journal about the improvements:

Report: Medical malpractice market stabilizes By SBJ Staff 10/8/2007 Escalating medical malpractice costs caused a market downturn 1999-2003, according to the report. In 2005, legislators enacted lawsuit reform to address the health care crisis that was driving doctors out of the state. Those reforms have brought improved medical malpractice operations for the third consecutive year, the report said. According to the report: Newly reported claims in Missouri have declined 61 percent to 1,113 in 2006, down from 2,822 in 2005. Read the entire article here.