Posted at: 09/16/2009 11:01 PM
Updated at: 09/17/2009 7:53 AM
By: Donny Rowles

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Minnesota Doctors Gather in Rochester

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- As the health care debate rages on across the country, nearly 200 doctors from across the state are in Rochester.
 
It's a chance for Minnesota physicians to spend three days sharing ideas and setting priorities, all with one mission: to put those ideas into practice, in their practices; in a way that improves health care in Minnesota.
 
Expanding coverage is a top priority. 
 
“Everyone in this state should have coverage so they can get the care they need,” says Dr. Michael Tedford.
 
Another is pursuing a medical error "apology" law that would make it safer for doctors to report their mistakes.
 
"Nobody bats a thousand, doctors are human and we're expected to bat 1000 or 999, it's just not humanly possible,” says Dr. Carlton Erickson.
 
The problem is doctors fear lawsuits so they don't want to talk about mistakes with their patients.

An apology law could change that by providing some form of protection for doctors, possibly with an extra benefit.
 
"Some of the lawsuits could be avoided if there were better communication between physicians and the patients just so the patients have a better understanding of what happened and why it happened," says Olmsted Medical Center Doctor, Noel Peterson.
 
The doctors are working on many of the same reforms being attempted in Washington, D.C.

Health reform proponents say everyone needs to sacrifice something to get meaningful healthcare reform done. 
 
"Doctors have been sacrificing all along - in that we're the ones who take the uninsured, we treat patients whether they have insurance or not," says Dr. John Poole.
 
"Doctors need to only do the tests that will make a difference," says Mayo Clinic Dr. Doug Wood.
 
And they're here for the next two days, testing new ideas, in an effort to make a difference.