In a development suggesting medical malpractice reform may help alleviate doctor shortages, a package of reforms in Missouri signed in 2005 by then-governor Matt Blunt (R-MO) to curb junk medical lawsuits has created an environment more appealing to physicians.
"We had widespread problems with practices recruiting before the reforms," said Tom Holloway, director of government relations for the Missouri State Medical Association. "Physicians didn’t want to come he/re and practice. Physicians wanted to leave the state."