Will your doctors be there when you need them?

Doctors are leaving West Virginia. Older experienced doctors are retiring sooner and younger recruits including residents and interns no longer consider West Virginia a satisfactory place to practice. A recent study found that thirty-four hospitals across West Virginia have lost an average of 5 percent of their doctors in the last year and the trend appears to accelerating.

Why are doctors retiring, leaving and reducing services?

The loss of insurance coverage is a major reason. It has become increasingly difficult for doctors to get insurance coverage. Many insurance companies no longer want to cover doctors, especially those who practice in "high risk" specialties such as obstetrics, surgery, anesthesia and emergency medicine.

Doctors, hospitals and other health care providers like nursing homes have experienced premium increases in the double and even triple digits. In fact, many doctors and hospitals are being notified that their insurance will not be renewed when their current policy expires.

The medical liability laws also affect a patient's ability to get health care.