01-14-2003

The Ledger
Voice of the People
PO box 408
Lakeland Florida 33802

Editor;

Please find enclosed my rebuttal to the claims that the current crisis regarding malpractice premiums is associated with "frivolous" lawsuits. When one exams the top providers financials we find the following:

"The HPSO Professional Liability Insurance Program is underwritten by American Casualty Company of Reading, PA, a CNA Company. CNA has earned an A (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best (as of 3/14/2000), the nation's leading authority on the financial well being of insurance companies. CNA is one of the 10 largest insurance groups in the United States with over $60 billion of assets. CNA is a registered service mark and trade name of CNA Financial Corporation.

When claims are filed, healthcare professionals can rely on the unparalleled expertise of our claims management group. Should legal defense become necessary, we work with a nationwide network of law firms that focus on healthcare litigation, assuring you the best possible defense."

"CNA FINANCIAL ANNOUNCES

4th QUARTER AND YEAR-END 2002 RESULTS

CHICAGO, February 13, 2003 --- CNA Financial Corporation (NYSE: CNA) today reported net

operating income from continuing operations of $112 million for the fourth quarter of 2002

• Net written premiums increased $129 million for the fourth quarter of 2002 as compared

with the same period in 2001.

• Specialty Lines achieved average rate increases during the fourth quarter of 2002 of 28%,

primarily across most professional liability lines of business.

• Net operating results for the fourth quarter of 2002 reflected an after-tax reduction for the

accrual for restructuring and other related charges of $1 million.

Excluding the effects of restructuring and other related charges, net operating results

increased $121 million for the fourth quarter of 2002 as compared with the same period in

2001, due primarily to improvement in the current year gross accident year loss ratio "

OMIC's ability to continue helping ophthalmologists with their insurance needs depends in large part on the financial health of the Company. OMIC's conservative investment policy safeguards that members' premium and surplus dollars are invested wisely. Through prudent underwriting, effective risk management programs, and good geographic diversification combined with strong growth in written premium, income, surplus, and policyholder membership, OMIC is able to provide a stable market for medical malpractice insurance in 49 states.

"Company Overview
Founded 26 years ago in a time of crisis in the professional liability market, The Doctors Company has built more than $1 billion in assets by staying true to its fundamental commitments to physicians and physician advocacy, and to pursuing legislative reforms that protect the practice of good medicine.

Protecting more than 28,000 doctors, of every specialty, in every state in the U.S., from the anxiety, distraction, and ruin of medical malpractice claims requires the kind of empathy, strength, and professionalism that only The Doctors Company can bring.

That powerful combination is best represented in the fact that 80 percent of all our claims are resolved without indemnity payments or reports to the National Practitioner Data Bank—and by our record of vindicating our doctors in 80 percent of the small number of suits that do go to trial."

FPIC Insurance Group, Inc., (the "Company" or "FPIC") The Company's insurance subsidiaries, First Professionals Insurance Company, Inc. (formerly Florida Physicians Insurance Company, Inc.), Anesthesiologists Professional Assurance Company, Intermed Insurance Company and Interlex Insurance Company, have an B++(Very Good) group rating from A.M. Best Company."

"AIG companies consistently earn the highest rankings from insurance industry’s principal rating agencies: A++ A.M.Best and AAA by Standard & Poors"

"Only oral and maxillofacial surgeons who are Fellows, Members, Life Members and Candidate Members in good standing of the Association and who meet the underwriting standards of the Company are eligible for the Company's insurance. The Company provides full limits professional liability insurance, excluding personal risk liability and employers' liability, with limits of up to $5,000,000 per claim and up to $6,000,000 in the aggregate annually. Lower limits may be offered in certain states due to excess coverage provided by statutory patient compensation funds. The Company's insurance coverage includes several features:

• Free retirement tail at any age with five years continuous coverage immediately prior to retirement.
• Free corporation/partnership coverage.
• Enhanced contractual liability (managed care) coverage.
• Additional defense limit for Department of Professional Regulation reviews.
• Loss-free credits up to 15% of premiums available after three years of coverage.
• 5% premium credit for attendance at OMS National Risk Management Seminars.
• 50% premium discount in first year and 25% premium discount in second year for new-to-practice oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
• 50% premium discount for doctors 55 years of age practicing part-time
• Quarterly premium payments with no finance charge.
• Coverage suspension for doctors temporarily ceasing practice at a fraction of the cost of total coverage.
• 3% premium credit for completion of MedSafe Risk Management Program. "

I guess this is why we have a malpractice premium crisis considering "our record of vindicating our doctors in 80 percent of the small number of suits that do go to trial." I believe this company’s advertisements refer to a "small number of suits" when trying to gain market share and cries "wolf" when trying to justify their rise in premiums in the media. What is really sad is the fact that the media accepts this hook, line and sinker and no reporter has dared to investigate the true financial health of these companies. With an A+++ rating, billions of dollars in reserve I have to wonder who is gouging whom?

Respectfully Submitted,

Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Research Foundation