Jackson, Miss.–Mississippi Governor Ronnie Musgrove attempting to end the state’s healthcare crisis signed a bill that sets caps for medical malpractice claims. Multimillion-dollar verdicts and skyrocketing premiums have driven away insurers and doctors.

The bill sets caps for pain-and-suffering damages in medical malpractices cases at $500,000, increasing to $750,000 by 2001 and $1 million by 2017. The bill will become effective January 1.

Last month, the U.S. house passed a bill to cap pain-and-suffering damages in medical malpractice cases. The bill now awaits Senate approval.

(via The Associated Press)