There is little doubt about the following facts: Physicians across the United States have been confronted with alarming increases in the cost of malpractice insurance, and access to critical medical services is imperiled in many states. National media cover the closing of trauma centers and obstetrical suites and a number of state legislatures have met in special session to attempt to deal with the crisis. The American Medical Association has declared 18 states to be in crisis and predicts many more will follow.1