What is the Effect of Tort Reform on African-American Access to Health Care?

Abstract

This study examines the impact of tort reform on minority access to medical care. Past research has investigated tort reform, but this is the first study to consider minority healthcare access. I examine 261 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) from 1993-2000 to test the impact of non-economic damage caps on physician supply overall and in individual specialties (family, primary care, general, OB/GYN, pediatrics, and internal medicine). Results show that tort reform reduces the negative effect of minority presence on physician availability and enhances minority medical care access.

Keywords: Medical malpractice, tort reform, health care disparities, medical access

JEL Classification: D10, I10, I18, I31, J15, J24, K13, K00, K32, R59