ATLANTA, Feb. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Patients for Fair Compensation, the non-profit working to replace the nation's broken malpractice system with no-blame, administrative model, today named Wayne Oliver as the first executive director of the organization.
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Oliver, a national thought leader who has spent his career in the healthcare industry, has worked with leading healthcare leaders including a recent position as a vice president overseeing civil justice reform at the Center for Health Transformation, founded by former Speaker Newt Gingrich.
"We couldn't have picked a better person to lead our national and state efforts to replace the current malpractice system," said Richard L. Jackson, chairman of Patients for Fair Compensation. "Oliver has a keen sense that defensive medicine is driving up healthcare costs and only when we replace the current model will we see significant savings in healthcare."
Oliver will manage strategic operations as PFC works in the states to communicate the benefits of a Patients' Compensation System and how it reduces the practice of defensive medicine, provides access to justice for harmed patients and improves patient safety. He will be the primary spokesperson for the Atlanta-based organization.
"This is a tremendous opportunity to show the nation that there is a model out there that can actually bring down costs and improve patient care," Oliver said. "I am eager to join the PFC as it begins its work in Georgia and Florida to see the Patients' Compensation System become law."
The Gallup organization has said that one in four healthcare dollars can be attributed to defensive medicine or when physicians order more tests and procedures than are necessary to keep from being sued. A study released last year by a healthcare economics firm found that a Patients' Compensation System could save $2.6 trillion over 10 years in healthcare costs if enacted nationwide.
Lawmakers in Georgia and Florida are expected to consider legislation this winter to create a Patients' Compensation System in those states.
Oliver has held positions as vice president of RXAlly building a state and federal government affairs practice. He also worked with the Georgia Pharmacy Association for 19 years in government affairs as the association's chief spokesman and advising on legal and legislative matters. He started his career at the Medical Association of Georgia, the primary trade group of Georgia physicians.
"Wayne will bring our efforts to a whole new level," Jackson said. "His experience working with lawmakers will help guide our efforts forward."
About Patients for Fair Compensation:
Patients for Fair Compensation is a 501(c) 4 organization dedicated to educating and proposing policy solutions to ensure access to real justice for injured patients by eliminating up to $650 billion per year nationally of unnecessary costs due to defensive medicine.
Patients for Fair Compensation is seeking to replace our broken medical liability system with a no-blame, administrative compensation system. The Patients' Compensation System will lower healthcare costs by eliminating the practice of defensive medicine, saving up to $650 billion per year nationally in unnecessary costs. By assuring access to real justice for injured patients and increasing patient safety, the system is one that works for patients and our economy.
Media Contact: Susan Meyers Patients for Fair Compensation, 404-518-2271, slmeyers@comcast.net
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SOURCE Patients for Fair Compensation
