Medical malpractice lawsuits are often very lengthy and expensive for all parties.  The high cost of malpractice lawsuits contribute to the rising cost of healthcare.  As a result, many physicians have been forced to raise their fees, reduce their practices, or leave Florida altogether, threatening patients’ access to medical care.  Arbitration is a relatively informal process of resolving disputes that is an alternative to the traditional court system.  Through arbitration, patients and physicians both benefit because they are able to more promptly resolve malpractice claims and for less cost to each party.  It is also believed that arbitration panels will help to avoid unreasonable jury awards, thereby further lowering costs.  These cost savings would positively impact medical professional liability rates and the cost and availability of healthcare services in Florida.