Conn. official warns obstetricians against surcharge

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal warned that it may be illegal for obstetricians to charge pregnant women a $500 surcharge to help fund malpractice insurance. A partnership of 150 Connecticut doctors in 27 practices, calling itself Women's Health Connecticut, has said its members will impose the surcharge beginning in September until the state Legislature passes a medical malpractice reform bill. Blumenthal said he is investigating whether the plan violates any laws or contracts and urged any woman charged such a fee to contact his office. "Imposing a surcharge is unreasonable and unauthorized, unless the doctors are able to negotiate it with the healthcare coverage providers. The fee also threatens to deter pregnant women from seeking healthcare critical to themselves and their unborn child," Blumenthal said in a news release. -- by Cinda Becker