Though "crises abated" may be too strong, there is definitely improving news for medical practitioners in Pennsylvania.

A Columbia University Project studying medical malpractice issues in Pennsylvania over the past three years gives rise to the notion that the malpractice crises may be abating. Reports indicated that malpractice suits declined by more than one-third between 2000 and 2004 and that the number of suits in Philadelphia was reduced almost in half over that period. The State Mcare fund spent 232.6 million in 2005 as compared to $320.3 million in ?04 and $378 million in ?03.

However, many pointed to the extremely high malpractice insurance rates along with low recruitment and retention rates of doctors as signs that the crises was far from over. Indeed premium rates remain very high though the largest malpractice insurers in Pennsylvania held their rates flat this past year.