Assembly approves sweeping malpractice reform

After two days of bitter partisan squabbling, state lawmakers early this morning passed a sweeping measure to reform Maryland's medical malpractice laws and bail out doctors with a tax increase.

But the fate of the bill remains in limbo. Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. promised to veto the measure even though Democrats appear to have enough votes to override him.

He also vowed to introduce a "bipartisan administration bill" when the 2005 assembly session begins Jan. 12.

"It appears that the net result of this exercise is a tax bill, regressive in nature, and legal reform light," Mr. Ehrlich said last night before the final...