1. (1) The Legislature makes the following findings:

   1. (a) Physicians practicing obstetrics are high-risk medical specialists for whom malpractice insurance premiums are very costly, and recent increases in such premiums have been greater for such physicians than for other physicians.
   2. (b) Any birth other than a normal birth frequently leads to a claim against the attending physician; consequently, such physicians are among the physicians most severely affected by current medical malpractice problems.

   3. (c) Because obstetric services are essential, it is incumbent upon the Legislature to provide a plan designed to result in the stabilization and reduction of malpractice insurance premiums for providers of such services in Florida.

      ¹(d) The costs of birth-related neurological injury claims are particularly high and warrant the establishment of a limited system of compensation irrespective of fault. The issue of whether such claims are covered by this act must be determined exclusively in an administrative proceeding.

2. (2) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide compensation, on a no-fault basis, for a limited class of catastrophic injuries that result in unusually high costs for custodial care and rehabilitation. This plan shall apply only to birth-related neurological injuries.

   ¹Note.--Section 6, ch. 98-113, provides that "[t]he amendments to sections 766.301 and 766.304, Florida Statutes, shall take effect July 1, 1998, and shall apply only to claims filed on or after that date and to that extent shall apply retroactively regardless of the date of birth."

History.--s. 60, ch. 88-1; s. 1, ch. 98-113.