Here's more proof that insurance premium increases are linked to the state of the economy, and not malpractice verdicts:

First, over the last 8 years, the amount that medical malpractice insurers have paid out,
including all jury awards and settlements, has approximately tracked rates of medical
inflation or fallen. When measured in constant dollars, the average payout per doctor
rose somewhat from 976 to 983, but was stable to slightly down between 984 and
00 . In other words, medical malpractice claims payments (in constant dollars) have
been flat over the last decade.

Second, medical insurance premiums charged by insurance companies over the last 30
years in New York have not corresponded to increases or decreases in payouts. Rather,
premiums have risen and fallen in concert with the state of the economy — insurance
premiums (in constant dollars) have increased or decreased in direct relationship to the
strength or weakness of the economy, reflecting the gains or losses experienced by the
insurance industry’s market investments and their perception of how much they can earn
on the investment “float” (which occurs during the time between when premiums are
paid into the insurer and losses paid out by the insurer) that doctors’ premiums provide.

Anybody listening?