That is an interesting statistic, Atlantic Frantic, and great that we've made progress over the last 100 years, but I wonder what the comparable numbers are for other developed countries. Still very sad if your child is that 1 in 100.

Posted by: Guest_04 at August 7, 2008 10:13 AM in response to Public Officials, Community Members Rally 'Round LICH

Actually, the NY Sun answered that question quite well. To quote: "the obstetrics department accounts for 33%, or $11 million, of the hospital's annual losses and racks up $8.8 million each year in medical malpractice costs, an amount that represents 40% of the hospital's total malpractice costs."

This problem is by no means unique to LICH, just look at the other obstetrics departmens closings and the dismal rate that medical schools produce ob/gyns. The result? The US has the second worst infant death rate among developed countries. Our health care system is broken.

Posted by: Guest_04 at August 7, 2008 9:25 AM in response to Public Officials, Community Members Rally 'Round LICH