American Notes FLORIDA

On the eve of a 42.7% hike imposed by the state's largest insurance carrier, doctors in South Florida declared last Wednesday "Disaster Day." Nearly 80% of Broward County's 600 specialists, including neurologists, obstetricians and orthopedic surgeons, resigned from emergency-room duties. Twelve of the county's 16 hospitals now refuse to accept trauma patients with head and spinal-cord injuries.

Faced with a flood of malpractice cases and notably generous juries, South Florida doctors are afflicted with the highest insurance costs in the country. A Dade County neurosurgeon, for example, might now have to shell out up to $220,000. "Our doctors are paying close to 40% of their gross income for insurance," says Dr. Richard Glatzer, president of the Dade County Medical Association. Governor Bob Martinez has pledged a special session of the state legislature to address the issue, but the prescription promises to be far more complicated than two aspirins.