The MPL Association welcomed Eric Anderson as its new President & CEO in late November 2025. He served as Interim President and CEO since March 2024, while also maintaining his position as Vice President of Strategy and Operations, a role he held since early 2022. Previously, Anderson led the communications, public relations, and marketing functions for the MPL Association for 13 years. His background includes experience with medical professional liability insurance carriers NORCAL Group and NCRIC Group.
Inside Medical Liability Online recently asked Anderson to share his insights into the future of the MPL Association and the medical professional liability (MPL) and hospital professional liability (HPL) environment.
Amy Butell, Editor, Inside Medical Liability Online: Hello, Eric! We appreciate your time. Let’s jump right in. What are the most significant risks and opportunities facing the medical and hospital professional liability industry in 2026?
Eric Anderson: Hi Amy! Thanks for having me. It’s a pleasure to speak with you.
There are many headwinds out there, but I’d say the litigation environment is at the top of the list. Medical and hospital professional liability insurance writers continue to see rising awards including mega verdicts, new and aggressive tactics being used by plaintiffs’ attorneys, anti-corporate sentiment which is fueling negative jury reactions, and longer claims and case resolution timelines. Another factor is third-party litigation funding, which has become a multibillion-dollar industry.
The growth of telemedicine, which was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has introduced new complexities for the MPL industry. Cross-state legal issues and concerns about remote diagnostics and care standards present fresh risks for MPL insurers and those they insure.
Of course, no conversation today is complete without mentioning emerging technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). The rise of AI, robotics, and automated diagnostic tools presents a unique set of risks. If an AI system fails or provides inaccurate diagnoses, it could lead to a claim, especially as these technologies become more ubiquitous. In such situations, it will be a significant challenge to determine liability.
It’s not all gloom and doom, though. On the flip side, data-driven risk management has the potential to build on the MPL industry’s impressive track record of advancing patient safety. As healthcare providers increasingly utilize digital health tools and electronic health records, MPL and HPL insurers may be able to leverage vast amounts of data to better assess risk and predict outcomes. This provides a unique opportunity to develop more accurate and, importantly, personalized risk mitigation strategies. Tools such as AI and machine learning offer insurers the opportunity to create operation efficiencies and potentially support areas such as underwriting and claims handling.
Also, because the well-being of doctors, nurses, and allied healthcare professionals is so important, MPL and HPL writers have a tremendous opportunity to serve as a resource at a time when provider burnout and stress are at all-time highs. Carriers can enhance their provider-support programs to make a marked difference for healthcare professionals.
Amy Buttell: How do you envision the Association’s role in terms of supporting MPL and HPL carriers in a constructive approach to those risks and opportunities?
Eric Anderson: We have a critical part to play in bringing the industry together to collectively share information, discuss and identify tactics, and promote methods for successful outcomes in the courtroom. In addition, we must work closely with all of our constituents to protect favorable state-level tort reforms that are in place and work to proactively introduce change in those jurisdictions that have challenging environments.
The Association can also take a key role in advocating for clear, consistent regulatory frameworks that support the stability and growth of the MPL industry. As legal and regulatory complexities increase, particularly around emerging risks like telemedicine and AI, the Association can work with policymakers to ensure that laws are not overly burdensome and that insurance carriers have clarity around requirements.
I strongly believe that we are an essential partner for MPL and HPL insurers in adapting to the evolving environment. Whether it's advocating for legislation or regulations that support long-term industry health, fostering innovation through data-driven solutions, or promoting best practices in risk management or provider wellness, the Association's leadership and support can help ensure that MPL and HPL insurance carriers remain resilient and proactive in the face of change.
Amy Buttell: Can you share your thoughts on how the Association plans to fulfill its vision as the recognized forum and voice of MPL and HPL carriers going forward?
Eric Anderson: We are embarking on a new strategic plan next month, so this is certainly a relevant question! The Association has an incredibly strong foundation and history of meeting the needs of all types and structures of MPL and HPL writers, including international medical defense organizations. We do need to, however, take a hard look at what we are doing and make sure that we are providing the key products and services that are needed in today’s environment. We need to modernize some things, and we likely need to move on from some things. The new strategic plan, which will be driven by member input, will provide a roadmap to fulfill the vision that you identified. So, stay tuned, as there is definitely more to come!
Amy Buttell: You are now several months into your tenure as the head of the MPL Association. What have you identified as the Association’s top priorities?
Eric Anderson: I mentioned our strategic plan—that is certainly going to drive our priorities. Overall, though, I think we have an obligation to foster collaboration across the healthcare and insurance sectors. I don’t believe that the challenges we face in the MPL and HPL industry can be solved in isolation. Building stronger, collaborative relationships between all types and structures of MPL and HPL insurance carriers, healthcare providers and organized medicine, legal professionals, industry services providers and other stakeholders, and legislators and regulators is essential to driving progress. One of my top priorities is to enhance our role as a neutral platform for facilitating dialogue and collaboration across these diverse groups. By bringing stakeholders together, we can find solutions to common challenges, whether that’s developing new ways to leverage data and analytics or addressing the rise of complex and costly MPL and HPL liability claims.
I am also committed to improving member engagement. Whether it’s providing access to valuable research, facilitating networking opportunities, or offering more tailored educational content, we will work to ensure that every member feels supported and connected. Expanding the range of services and resources we offer will allow us to continue providing tangible value to our members, helping them adapt to the increasingly complex landscape.
Finally, I think it is crucial for us to continue to bring new organizations into the Association. We are stronger as an organization and as a community with greater numbers, so we will continue to pursue all entities that have a stake in the MPL and HPL space as well as those organizations that protect and defend healthcare professionals and entities across the globe.
Amy Buttell: In an era of rising mega verdicts, how can the MPL and HPL industry best protect physicians and hospitals so that they deliver the quality healthcare that Americans deserve?
Eric Anderson: One of the most direct ways is working with us to advocate for legislative reforms. By lobbying for tort reforms such as reasonable caps on noneconomic damages, we can help prevent jury awards from spiraling into unsustainable amounts. We must ensure that liability systems are balanced so that healthcare providers are not deterred from offering necessary care due to the fear of excessive legal exposure.
There is also a role to play in educating the public on the impact of rising verdicts. The MPL and HPL industry can help protect physicians and hospitals by educating the public on the realities of medical liability claims and the broader consequences of excessive verdicts. By helping the public understand that rising jury awards can drive up healthcare costs, limit access to care, and lead to more defensive medicine, we can encourage a more informed and balanced approach to medical liability. We need to change the narrative, and we all have a role to play in making this happen.
I’d be remiss in also not saying that the industry must continue its strong emphasis on risk management strategies. Insurers can support healthcare providers by offering educational programs, tools, and resources to help them reduce the frequency of claims. By focusing on patient safety initiatives, communication practices, and clinical protocols, we can help healthcare organizations lower the likelihood of costly lawsuits. A proactive approach that promotes a culture of safety and transparency not only benefits patient care but also minimizes the risk of costly litigation.
Amy Buttell: What steps can industry stakeholders take to advance top industry priorities such as tort reform, financial and operational stability, and risk management?
Eric Anderson: At the risk of sounding repetitive, insurers and healthcare providers must work together to advocate for tort reforms, focusing on caps for noneconomic damages and fairer litigation standards. I also think data-driven advancements are critical. The industry must leverage predictive analytics, automation, and technology to improve risk assessment and operational efficiency. In terms of financial stability, insurers can look at new and innovative strategies around reinsurance or risk pooling to reduce risk exposure and ensure continued financial resilience.
I think with the Association as the fulcrum, by aligning the priorities of insurers, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders, the medical and hospital professional liability insurance industry can create a more sustainable, efficient, and safer healthcare environment that benefits all parties—patients, providers, and insurers alike.