Physician issues and Florida health care reform

Data are presented from a mail survey of Florida physicians one year after passage of the Florida Health Care Insurance and Reform Act. Respondents rated the importance of various issues and reported their perceptions of physician input, knowledge and support for health-care reform legislation. Issues considered important included tort reform, physician autonomy, consumer choice of providers, and freedom from insurance hassles along with reduced paperwork. Ratings were low for input and health-care reform support. Issues of importance to physicians were not addressed by previous legislation; therefore, they must take the lead in focusing new legislation in conjunction with their professional organizations.