Letter: Parties work for special interests

Monday, Sept. 22, 2003 | 8:58 a.m.

The Republicans and the Democrats are failing the citizens when they propose legislation on medical malpractice.

The Republicans pander to the insurance companies, which are at least 50 percent responsible for the problem. They invested heavily in the stock market and lost money, as most Americans did. They are recouping their losses by unfairly overcharging for medical malpractice insurance. In a free market system their shareholders should pay for the poor executive decisions in the stock market.

The Democrats pander to the lawyers, who are 50 percent responsible for the problem by filing frivolous or overstated lawsuits. Their contingency fees are also excessive.

Congress and the state legislatures think the answer is caps. This harms American citizens, who are the constituents of these politicians. This is unfair and inequitable.

Politicians should reduce lawyers' contingency fees as well as the costs of medical malpractice insurance policies. The doctors who have been found negligent in previous medical malpractice claims should have their policies increased, and the doctors who have clean records should enjoy reduced premiums. And if there is a cap, it should not be $250,000. It should be $1 million.

Republicans and Democrats should stop pandering to insurance companies and lawyers. They should serve the people.

FRANK PERNA