This report was written to provide current information on the existence of medical malpractice problems and the need for federal involvement and alternatives for resolving malpractice claims. It presents the perceptions of respondents from 37 nationally based organizations representing medical, legal, insurance, and consumer interests who completed a questionnaire on the medical malpractice issue and what to do about it. The advantages and tradeoffs of a number of alternatives to the current system for resolving claims are also discussed. The report consists of an executive summary and four chapters. Chapter 1 provides a look at the report's background, objectives, scope, and methodology. Chapter 2 examines organizational views and empirical studies on the impact of tort reform and concludes that few state tort reforms are perceived as having a major effect on claims or awards. Chapter 3, focusing on major concerns of interest groups and the impact of malpractice suits, reveals a wide diversity of views concerning medical malpractice problems. Chapter 4 presents proposals for changing the system, perceived advantages and tradeoffs of the alternatives, views of interest groups regarding alternatives, and views on possible action to reduce the incidence of claims and on federal roles in addressing malpractice problems. Five appendices and 27 tables are included. Appendices contain a description of the medical malpractice insurance and legal systems and responses to the mid-1970s crisis; a chart on the status of tort reforms; a list of organizations receiving the study questionnaires; a tabulation of the questionnaire results; and a description of alternative approached to resolving claims. (NB)