The Cincinnati Enquirer

COLUMBUS - A group of doctors supports a lawmaker's desire to grill insurance companies on why malpractice premiums are rising again despite caps imposed last year on jury awards for pain and suffering.

Rates are expected to rise 10 percent to 40 percent this year from the five major companies providing medical malpractice coverage in Ohio, according to the state Department of Insurance. That follows average increases of 30 percent last year.

"My local physicians are telling me they're at their wits' end," state Sen. Kirk Schuring said Monday.

Since last April, Ohio law has capped pain-and-suffering damages in medical malpractice cases at $350,000 for most claims and $500,000 for injuries causing permanent disability or damage. Precincts in charge of distance rule

FRANKFORT - County clerks and precinct workers will have to decide for themselves how far candidate-boosters can stand from the polls in Tuesday's special election for the 6th District.

The leeway granted by the Kentucky Secretary of State's office, which oversees the state Board of Elections, is the result of a decision by a federal appeals court. Last month, the 6th District Court of Appeals in Cincinnati decided the state law requiring candidates and campaign volunteers to stand at least 500 feet from polls was too vague and thus unconstitutional.

The state Board of Elections advised county clerks not to enforce any specific distance.

Seat belt, open container bills stall

INDIANAPOLIS - A bill that would require people to use seat belts in pickup trucks and a proposal prohibiting open containers of alcohol in vehicles both stalled in a House committee Monday.

Representatives on the House Public Policy, Ethics and Veterans Affairs Committee questioned some aspects of the seat belt bill. The open container bill met stronger opposition, with critics saying it amounted to federal government "blackmail."

Open containers of alcohol in vehicles would be banned even if the driver is sober, although exceptions would be made for limousine drivers and those with recreational vehicles.