The growing problem of physicians leaving our state and clinics being closed for lack of doctors should be of great concern to the citizens of Washington. Our local politicians have been unable to pass effective legislation to address the problem as other states have done. Rising insurance costs due to runaway jury awards and greedy lawyers are forcing doctors to leave our state or quit their practices entirely.
Both Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell have voted against the Medical Liability Reform Act passed by the House that would put limits on lawyer fees and portions of malpractice judgments. Sen. Murray has chosen to co-sponsor another bill that would solve the problem of increased malpractice insurance by providing doctors with a federal subsidy. What an innovative solution. Doctors would get up to 20 percent insurance cost relief and trial lawyers can continue to use the court system to get fat awards from insurance companies. It’s a win-win situation for them at the expense of the taxpayers, who pick up the tab for the subsidy and continued high health-care costs.
Sen. Murray is continuing to serve the trial lawyer lobby at our expense and does not deserve our support at the polls. We need to elect candidates who are willing to stand up to this strong special interest group lobby and support badly needed tort reform.
Mel Suelzle
Bothell
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