There have been three guest commentaries on the subject of medical liability and the increase in medical malpractice insurance rates.
The first commentary was written by Republican Rep. Kirk Pearson and he described accurately with facts the escalating problem. The second was written by Democratic Rep. Mike Cooper who whitewashed the problem with inaccuracies and an emotional story of a wronged patient. No one denies occasional errors by the medical community and that victims should be adequately compensated, but trial lawyers have taken this to an extreme.
Doctors, to avoid frivolous claims, are forced into unnecessary tests, increasing patients’ costs and causing escalating medical insurance premiums. If, as Rep. Cooper claims, “malpractice insurance payouts haven’t exploded,” why the 31 percent increase in physicians moving out of state? Why have the emergency room doctors at Providence Everett Medical Center been told their malpractice insurance will be dropped April 1? And why have insurance companies left the state? If an insurance company pays $2,000 and takes in $1,000, it will either increase rates or leave the state. Think the Democratic senators will help? Forget it! My own doctor wrote to the super-liberal Sen. Patty Murray requesting a cap reform be introduced. Her answer was negative.
The third commentary by Greg Tisdel echoed and added to Pearson’s commentary. So, why does Rep. Cooper close his eyes to the exodus of doctors because of out-of-control malpractice costs? There is one glaring reason. Trial lawyers are either the largest or next to the largest contributors to the Democratic National Committee and Democratic office seekers. According to The Liability Reform Coalition, Washington state trial lawyers’ made 82 percent of its contributions Democrats and only 18 percent to Republican candidates during 2002.
Almost 30 years ago California put a cap on medical malpractice awards and solved their problem. Why don’t we demand the same?
Camano Island
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