Medical malpractice and access to obstetrical care in Alabama.

The medical malpractice insurance crisis of the mid-1980s has abated, but nonetheless there are concerns that the threat of liability continues to have a deleterious effect on access to obstetrical services for low income women. Currently, at the national level there is discussion over whether the tort system should be replaced with a no fault compensation scheme similar to the worker's compensation system. Florida and Virginia have already enacted no fault compensation schemes for certain birthrelated neurological injuries. After reviewing the situation in Alabama with respect to claim frequency and severity, insurance costs and access to obstetrical care, we will examine proposals for a fundamental restructuring of the medical liability system.