In fact, many doctors report that malpractice premiums have shot up.

Do you know which state has the lowest malpractice premiums in the entire country?

Between 1985 and 1988, malpractice premiums rose 47 percent.

Rather than discussing medicine, we talk about which colleagues have retired early because their malpractice premiums hit six figures.

It is a matter of dollars and cents, either in rising malpractice premiums or liability awards.

But malpractice premiums account for less than 1 percent of national health spending.

It's the last thing I need, to see my malpractice premium double.

In fact, since the award could be as high as a million, all of our malpractice premiums would go up, including mine.

The increase, which takes effect on July 30, will be the first rise in malpractice premiums after four years of stable or declining rates.

Experts list several reasons for the decline in malpractice premiums.