MO HB2071

Allows a majority of the board of directors to suspend operations of the medical malpractice joint underwriting association when malpractice insurance is reasonably available in the voluntary market and two or fewer individual physicians have been insured by the association for at least two consecutive years

Adds authority for the director to direct the association to resume operations (in addition to existing authority to create it) when malpractice insurance is not reasonably available

Requires the association's plan of operation to establish the suspension process and include provisions for administering association funds until the director determines whether to resume or terminate operations

Prohibits the association from collecting dues or fees from members during suspension unless the director authorizes an assessment or resumption of operations

Defines "reasonably available" as medical malpractice insurance products offered to health care providers in the voluntary market by insurance carriers in the ordinary course of business