JEFFERSON CITY, MO - Hundreds of white-coated medical doctors descended on the Capitol this week to voice growing concern over the sharply rising costs of medical malpractice insurance premiums, which threaten to put many doctors out of practice and have already forced many to restrict the type of care they administer and to whom they administer to.

"There are many questions as to why the rates have increased," Cauthorn said. "I don't know why but know that we need to fix it before our medical system deteriorates."

"In response for immediate help I have filed a bill that makes it impossible for insurance companies to cite malpractice case expenses incurred in other states as a reason for raising rates here," Cauthorn said. "And the rate increases can only reflect loss rates in Missouri, not in California or New York like is being done now."

Several liability lawsuit or "tort" reform measures are now before the Senate that would limit jury awards in medical malpractice and other types of cases involving allegations of negligence.

The Senate's Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee heard testimony on Cauthorn's measure requiring performance-based budgeting for state departments.

"Senate Bill 40 requires performance-based budget reviews of every department, division or agency of state government at least once every five years," Cauthorn said. "I believe the reviews will strengthen fiscal accountability and accuracy, and reduce state operating expenses in the process."

Senate Financial and Governmental Organization, Veterans' Affairs and Elections Committee members this week heard testimony on Cauthorn's measure adjusting the pay of state workers. Senate Bill 181 would have the salaries of all state employees (excluding elected officials, statewide officials and judges) automatically adjusted at the beginning of each fiscal year. The rate increase would correspond to the percentage change in the consumer price index, or "CPI" for the region.

"Most state workers have not received a pay raise in more than two years," Cauthorn said. "Yes, the budget is tight, but withholding pay increases year after year doesn't save, it costs in higher turnover and lost experience."

In concert with the House, Cauthorn and his Senate colleagues this week finalized the blocking of pay raises for lawmakers, statewide officials and judges. Recommended by a special commission, the proposed pay raises nearly six percent this year and next would have automatically taken effect in February had Missouri's Senators not taken swift and decisive action against the measure. Last week, senators voted unanimously to defeat the salary proposal and unanimously did so again this week via a companion resolution.