Hatch responded to the doubling and tripling of rates on two fronts. First, he established a Joint Underwriting Association (JUA), which could issue policies to keep an industry operational if there was a shortage of insurers in a particular field, since some industries could not operate without insurance coverage. Second, he undertook several studies of whether the increased premiums had anything to do with increased claims. The St. Paul Companies, based in St. Paul and the primary issuer of medical malpractice policies, argued that Hatch's studies were flawed. The dispute between Hatch and the insurer ended up on ABC Nightline on February 14, 1989. The televised debate resulted in insurance hearings around the country, with St. Paul Companies dropping its premiums for medical malpractice insurance by 25% on April 15, 1989.