Patients are no longer able to get certain health care services because doctors have left or have stopped offering "high risk" services in order to lower their liability insurance costs.

As a result, health care services in many parts of the state are being reduced or eliminated. Most significantly affected are patients with such conditions as head trauma, broken bones, pregnancy and emergency situations.

Hospitals and other health care facilities are also losing doctors to other states and having greater difficulty recruiting doctors.

In too many cases, the mounting problem results in longer waiting times to see a doctor and longer distances for patients to travel in order to receive care.