Hawaii's doctor shortage has come into the national spotlight as the American Medical Association meets in Honolulu.

Access to medical care is a hot topic nationwide. While in many states that has to do with a lack of health insurance, in Hawaii it's more about what some consider a doctor shortage crisis.

Over the past few years more notable physicians and specialists have left Hawaii than have taken their place, and the net loss is a problem for patients.

"At some point in time, it may not be you, but someone you love may be in a car accident," said Dr. Linda Rasmussen, an Oahu orthopedic specialist. "They may have a serious injury, and there may not be anyone to take care of them."

That's because the cost and risk of providing care is rising almost unchecked, while payments from insurers and the government are declining.

"In a place like Hawaii, these pressures are even more acute because of the high cost of living," said Dr. Ronald Davis, president of the American Medical Association.

More than 4,000 doctors are meeting in Honolulu as part of the AMA, and they say Hawaii isn't alone in its problems.

"In Illinois one out of 5 OB/GYNs is no longer delivering babies," Davis said. "In parts of Florida you can't find a neurosurgeon -- god forbid if you're in a car collision."

They're turning away care in large part because many states' medical malpractice laws don't yet cap punitive or pain and suffering damages.

"To have multimillion-dollar, $20 million, $30 million, $40 million payments for pain and suffering is bankrupting the system," Davis said.

It's just one of several factors causing critical physician shortages especially in rural Oahu and the neighbor islands.

"On the Big Island, in Waimea, there are two general surgeons that do every other night on call," Rasmussen said. "One is 85, the other is in his 70s. They came there to retire, not to practice."

The nation's top doctors have a message for lawmakers here and in Washington:

"Take action to have fair Medicare payment, have fair Medicaid payment, and put controls on liability insurance premiums," Davis said. "It's important to have an environment where you can keep the doctors you have and attract doctors whom you need."

The Hawaii Medical Association is holding a forum Tuesday evening on patient access to care. It includes a panelist from Texas who will share how they reversed their doctor shortage by capping malpractice damages.

Here are the details:
WHAT: HMA Forum, Patient Access to Care
WHERE: Queen's Conference Center, 510 S. Beretania St.
WHEN: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
COST: Free, and a light meal will be provided
CALL: 536-7702 ext. 112, or visit www.hmaonline.net