Obstetricians Vow to Stop Work

Angry obstetricians vowed today to stop accepting new patients Monday in an effort to force the Massachusetts Legislature to grant them relief from increased malpractice insurance premiums.

Gov. Michael S. Dukakis urged physicians to continue treating all patients, saying refusal to do so would be “inexcusable.” But Dr. Henry Lerner, estimating that 70% of the obstetricians will join the action, said, “Given current conditions, many physicians will have to cease practice in any event on April 30” when cumulative premiums come due amounting to as much as $50,000.