11/8/11 - ELECTION TODAY - Judicial Choices MATTER

11/7/11 - ELECTION DAY TODAY
Judicial Choices MATTER - Support Eakin, Stabile, Covey

((Editor's comments in blue italics. Please scroll to the end for more information, disclaimer, etc.))

1. Commentary
2. Politics PA
Judicial Candidates Spar over Campaign Contributions
http://www.politicspa.com/judicial-candidates-spar-over-campaign-contributions/29156/
3. PAMPAC E-NEWS
PAMPAC supports statewide judicial candidates....
4. PA GOP - Judge for Sale
http://www.pagop.org/2011/10/pa-gop-judge-for-sale-democrat-david-wecht-owned-by-philadelphia-trial-lawyers/
5. #Rx: The PAMPAC Prescription for a Fair Judiciary:
American Med News
Texas Tort reform advocates dispute critical report
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/10/31/prsc1031.htm
6. Fierce Healthcare.com
New payment models promote undertreatment, malpractice risks
http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/new-payment-models-promote-undertreatment-malpractice-risks/2011-08-05
7. PennLive.com
Pennsylvania dentists may soon be required to purchase malpractice insurance
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/08/pennsylvania_dentists_may_soon.html


Commentary

Odd-number year elections aren't quite as "sexy" as the even number years - you won't get to choose a president, or a member of Congress, or even a member of the General Assembly tomorrow.

What you WILL get to choose are a wide range of local offices - which impact you DIRECTLY at the most fundamental levels - right in your own backyard.

And, possibly even more important, you'll get to choose JUDGES at the local and state levels.

Keeping in mind that fair judges at many levels impact the practice of medicine (and everything else, of course), judicial elections MATTER to medical professionals.

At the state level, I'd like to ask everyone to support three statewide candidates, who have been interviewed and vetted and are all supported by PAMPAC, the political arm of the PA Medical Society, for their comprehension of the issues that face the practice of medicine and their ability to be fair and impartial. Further, I've met and spoken at length with all three of these outstanding candidates and find them to be supportive of doctors and patients, intelligent, and extremely well qualified.

Those candidates are PA Supreme Court Justice Mike Eakin (this is a retention vote, so all you need to do is vote "yes"), Superior Court Candidate Vic Stabile, and Commonwealth Court Candidate Anne Covey.

You might think fairness and impartiality is a given with judicial candidates, but it isn't always the case - especially when those candidates are owned and operated by the Philadelphia trial lawyers, who just ponied up $300,000 to ensure that its choice for PA Superior Court beats OUR choice for Superior Court, Vic Stabile. Several articles about the trial lawyers' huge last-minute contribution to THEIR candidate follow.

Is $300,000 the going rate for a statewide judge these days, or is the leadership of the trial lawyers' PAC just feeling generous? Campaign finance reports indicate Stabile has raised a total of $198,000 - while his opponent, with the recent infusion of cash provided by the Philly trial lawyers, has raised $512,000. That infusion has made it possible for their guy to buy more TV and radio time.

Cash on hand shouldn't determine the winner of a judicial election, but it's hard to compete with a $300,000 bribe - I mean contribution! - from the group which has opposed every measure that would make Pennsylvania more physician-friendly.

If YOU would like to help Vic Stabile defeat the trial lawyers' candidate, it's not too late to make a contribution. If you're a PAMED member, you can contribute to PAMPAC's support of the PA judicial candidates online: www.pampac.org (log in required).

If you're not a member, you can still contribute by mailing your personal voluntary contribution to: PAMPAC - P.O. Box 8820 - Harrisburg, PA 17105-8820, or by calling PAMPAC at 800-228-7823.

Or, you can go directly to Vic Stabile's campaign website - but cannot contribute online. I'll bet they'd be happy to take contributions over the phone, though: http://www.stabileforjudge.com/.

I've attached a "prescription" form which you can pass out at the polls or in your offices, hospital or anywhere you like as a PDF.

On a more local level, a good friend to medicine is running for a seat on the bench in Lehigh County - if you live in Lehigh County, I'd like to ask you to vote for Doug Reichley for the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas.

Doug Reichley has supported medical liability reform in PA since he first ran for the state legislature, and has been a consistent and powerful voice for reducing lawsuit abuse in PA. I have no doubt that Doug's years of experience as both an assistant district attorney and a state legislator will make him an outstanding judge. To learn more about Doug, check out his website: http://reichleyforjudge.com/.

Doug's opponent, who isn't even eligible to serve a full term as Lehigh County Judge due to PA's mandatory judicial retirement rules, has recently mounted a sleazy smear campaign against Doug, which is based on inaccuracies and a couple of bald faced lies. You can read the TRUTH here: http://reichleyforjudge.com/?category_name=refuting-opponents-incorrect-statements.

I don't have to tell you to GET OUT AND VOTE, right?

OK, just in case - GET OUT AND VOTE TODAY! And please remind your friends and family to do the same!

Best,
DBR

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http://www.politicspa.com/judicial-candidates-spar-over-campaign-contributions/29156/
Judicial Candidates Spar over Campaign Contributions
By Sari Heidenreich, Contributing Writer

Encouraging Pennsylvanians to get out and vote for Republican Commonwealth and Superior Court candidates next week, Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley highlighted the importance of these offices Tuesday saying the courts will likely ultimately decided policies surrounding the Marcellus Shale industry and education reform as well as redistricting.
“The decisions that are going to be made seven days from now are so vitally important to the quality of life for the people of this Commonwealth. It does matter who your local township supervisor is, it does matter who your mayor and council are,” Cawley said, “and let me tell you, it very much matters who puts on a black robe and sits on a bench.”

Commonwealth Court candidate Anne Covey and Superior Court candidate Vic Stabile also attended the press conference hosted by the Republican Party of Pennsylvania. State party chairman, Rob Gleason said they anticipate only 25 percent of Pennsylvanians will vote in Tuesday’s statewide and municipal election.

The most recent campaign finance reports, released last Thursday, show that Stabile has raised $198,000 so far, according to the Associated Press. His opponent, Allegheny County Judge David Wecht has raised $512,000.

Democratic Commonwealth Court candidate Kathryn Boockvar has raised $352,000 while opponent Anne Covey had received nearly $343,000 according to the AP.

Stabile received $25,000 from the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association’s PAC Committee for a Better Tomorrow, according to the Associated Press. However, the group donated $300,000 his opponent, Allegheny County Judge David Wecht.

Stabile said, “I was very upset last week to see that my opponent received $300,000 from the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association [Committee For a Better Tomorrow]. That is the amount of money that most appellate candidates can hope to raise in these races, and they provided that to him in a single check. Obviously that has me at a disadvantage in terms of media … It does make it a noncompetitive race in many regards.”

The Committee for a Better Tomorrow actually donated the money to Wecht on two different occasions: $50,000 in September and $250,000 in October.

Wecht said he wanted to stay away from negative campaigning of partisan bickering but said, “I’m sure that my opponent [Stabile] would take contributions if he could get them.”

Wecht said the group’s contribution would not affect his ability to rule on cases if elected to the post, saying he would have “no idea which lawyer gave what” to the PAC “so there would be no possibility” he could consider the contributions of individual lawyers.

Earlier in the campaign, Wecht unsuccessfully lobbied Stabile to sign a pledge denouncing financial or advertising support from third party interest groups and 527s.

Stabile said he does not take issue with the fact that the trial lawyer’s PAC contributed to the race but the fact that they donated a disproportionate amount.

But Mark Nicastre, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, said Stabile’s complaint is hypocritical.

“Republicans have been steady advocates for unlimited campaign contributions, secret campaign contributions and corporate contributions through shady organizations. They are only complaining now because there deep pocketed donors haven’t come through this year,” Nicastre said.

Mike Dineen, Wecht’s campaign manager, confirmed that the Committee for a Better Tomorrow’s $300,000 donation is the largest is the largest contribution they have received but noted that in previous judicial elections state parties had contributed similar amounts.

Recently, Wecht’s campaign has expanded its television ad buy, originally just in the Pittsburgh area, to the Altona/Johnstown and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton media markets.


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PAMPAC supports statewide judicial candidates who are fair minded and understand our issues—two keys to positively impact your practice.

In the 2011 statewide judicial elections, PAMPAC supports Anne Covey for Commonwealth Court and Victor Stabile for Superior Court in the contested races. Both candidates demonstrate a depth of knowledge and appreciation about the issues that impact our profession. Both had PAMPAC support in their primary elections.

Victor Stabile is the PAMPAC supported candidate for Superior Court. He is a Cumberland County attorney in private practice that has defended physician clients.

Anne Covey is the PAMPAC supported candidate for Commonwealth Court. She is an attorney in private practice in Bucks County with strong experience in state litigation.

PAMPAC also supports the retention election of Supreme Court Justice Michael Eakin, first elected with strong statewide physician support in 2001. Justice Eakin has continued to demonstrate from the bench that he is a pro-physician jurist.

The Nov. 8 statewide judicial elections offer an opportunity to elect candidates to the bench whom we believe are best for medicine.

Don't sit this election out. Vote November 8.

PAMPAC is the political arm of the Pennsylvania Medical Society. Membership in PAMPAC is voluntary and serves as the united voice of physicians in the political arena. PAMPAC contributes to candidates for state and, through AMPAC, federal office who support the priorities of the Pennsylvania Medical Society membership. The organization is headquartered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and is directed by a board of members from the Pennsylvania Medical Society and the Pennsylvania Medical Society Alliance. PAMPAC eNEWS is prepared to keep readers informed about political and educational advocacy initiatives affecting Pennsylvania physicians. To learn more about PAMPAC log on to www.pamedsoc.org/pampac


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PA GOP: Judge For Sale – Democrat David Wecht Owned By Philadelphia Trial Lawyers
http://www.pagop.org/2011/10/pa-gop-judge-for-sale-democrat-david-wecht-owned-by-philadelphia-trial-lawyers/
October 31st, 2011
PA GOP: Judge For Sale – Democrat David Wecht Owned By Philadelphia Trial Lawyers

Wecht accepts $300,000 last-minute cash infusion from Philadelphia trial lawyers

HARRISBURG, PA – Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason released statement regarding David Wecht’s willingness to be bought with a $300,000 donation from the Committee for a Better Tomorrow PAC, a special interest group bankrolled by the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association:

“By taking $300,000 from Philadelphia trial lawyers, David Wecht has allowed a special interest group to bankroll his campaign as he attempts to buy his way onto Pennsylvania’s Superior Court. Based on his own previous comments, Wecht should recuse himself from any case that includes a trial attorney who has donated to the Better Tomorrow PAC.

“This is a clear example of justice for sale. Could you imagine appearing in David Wecht’s courtroom with a Philadelphia trial lawyer on the opposing side? Do you think you could get a fair trial? I don’t think so, and I think the majority of Pennsylvanians would agree.

“The plot thickens because during a judicial forum on October 14th, Wecht made a public pledge to not accept any contributions from any special interest groups during the course of his campaign. What’s worse: the fact that he broke his own pledge and accepted $300,000 from a special interest group, or the fact that he’s trying to buy his way onto Pennsylvania’s Superior Court?

“In addition, this issue has already been taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court, where Justice Kennedy in writing the majority opinion stated that there is a ‘serious risk of actual bias’ if a judge does not recuse himself in a case where one or more parties have had a significant influence on that judge’s election. In this case, $300,000 would certainly qualify as a very significant influence and would significantly compromise David Wecht’s ability to adjudicate fairly.

“Since David Wecht likes pledges so much, I would challenge him to pledge today that he will recuse himself from any case that involves a Philadelphia trial lawyer who has contributed to the Committee for a Better Tomorrow PAC. To maintain the integrity of Pennsylvania’s judiciary, we are sounding the alarm on David Wecht. Voters should get to the polls on November 8th and to tell David Wecht that justice is not for sale, and support Vic Stabile,” Gleason said.

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#Rx: The PAMPAC Prescription for a Fair Judiciary:

The Pennsylvania Medical PAC, PAMPAC, supports these judicial candidates for election on November 8. A fair and balanced judiciary is essential for Pennsylvania and the patients whom we serve.

Supreme Court:
Retention of Justice Michael Eakin

Superior Court:
Election of Vic Stabile

Commonwealth Court:
Election of Anne Covey

Do Not Substitute!


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Texas tort reform advocates dispute critical report
A study says health care costs have risen since a damages cap and other measures were enacted. The state's physicians call the report misleading.
By Alicia Gallegos, amednews staff. Posted Oct 31, 2011.

http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/10/31/prsc1031.htm

Doctors and other advocates of Texas tort reforms are speaking out against an October report that says the measures have worsened health care in the state.

The report, issued by consumer advocacy group Public Citizen, claims that the rate of new doctors in Texas has fallen since the state's $250,000 noneconomic damages cap was enacted in 2003. Medicare spending has grown since the reforms, and health insurance costs are higher than the national average, the report said.

((It's important to recall that Public Citizen is funded largely by trial lawyer money....))

"Despite the sales campaign to promote Texas as an exhibit of the merits of limiting doctors' liability for mistakes, the real world data tell the opposite story," said Taylor Lincoln, research director of Public Citizen's Congress Watch division. "Health care in Texas has become more expensive and less accessible since the state's malpractice caps took effect."

The Texas Medical Assn. called the report misleading.

"First of all, we never promised the tort reform bill would lower the cost of medical care. We said it would increase access to medical care," said TMA President C. Bruce Malone, MD. "The hospitals are saving hundreds of millions a year in medical liability costs that can be applied directly to patient care."

The number of physicians in Texas has outpaced population growth by 84% since tort reforms were enacted.
Dr. Malone rebutted the report finding that the number of new doctors practicing in the state has decreased. The report based its figures on the rate of new physicians per capita. It claims that in the seven years before the cap took effect, the per capita number of doctors grew by 9.3% compared with an increase of 4.2% after the reforms.

The number of primary care physicians rose by 11.8% in the seven years leading to reforms but has remained flat since, the report said.

But comparing the rate of doctors against population growth is not an adequate assessment, Dr. Malone said. Texas has seen a rapid rise in residents in the last few years, he said.

Each year, about 4,000 doctors apply for a license in Texas, he said. In the past four years, license applications for physicians have increased 83% compared with the four years before tort reform, according to data from the TMA and the Texas Medical Board.

"We're keeping up with our huge population growth. The tort reform has allowed us to keep doctors' offices open that we might not have been able to do with the increasing liability" before reform, he said.

Data contradict report
Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who signed the reforms into law, released data contradicting the Public Citizen report.

Since the reforms were enacted, 23,520 doctors have been licensed in Texas, and physician growth has outpaced population growth by 84%, according to the governor's office. In El Paso, physician growth has outpaced population growth by 177%, while in Houston the figure is 124%.

Medical liability premiums in Texas have declined by nearly 30% since state tort reforms were enacted.
The governor cited a national report from the Commonwealth Fund that found Texas' premiums for employer-sponsored coverage for individuals are lower than those in 34 states. The Commonwealth Fund is a private foundation that advocates better health care access and quality.

The cost of medical liability insurance has declined by nearly 30% since reforms were enacted, according to Perry's office.

"In Texas, comprehensive medical liability reform has improved access to medical care, particularly in underserved areas, restored balance to the Texas judicial system, keeping doctors in the exam room instead of the courtroom, and has removed a large threat to job creation and economic growth that had been created by excessive litigation," said Allison Castle, a spokeswoman for Perry.

Patients have benefited dramatically from reform measures, said Jon Opelt, executive director of the Texas Alliance for Patient Access, a coalition of medical professionals who advocate improved access to care through lawsuit reforms. An increase in Texas doctors has led to 6.4 million more patient visits than would have occurred if reforms were not enacted, he said. Texas Alliance arrived at that figure by measuring the accelerated growth rate of physicians and factoring in the average number of patients seen annually by doctors, he said.

"What you have is more care available to more patients closer to home," he said.

Data from the governor's office show that since reforms, 23 rural counties have added at least one emergency physician and 18 counties have added their first emergency doctor. Fifteen rural counties have added either a cardiologist or cardiovascular surgeon, including 11 counties that added their first heart specialist.

In addition, the number of pediatric specialists and geriatricians has doubled in the past five years after showing no growth in two years preceding reforms, data show.

"I would venture to say there's not a state in the country that [has] seen the turnaround that we have seen," Opelt said.


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New payment models promote undertreatment, malpractice risks
http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/new-payment-models-promote-undertreatment-malpractice-risks/2011-08-05
August 5, 2011 — 9:38am ET By Alicia Caramenico

((I believe this is what they call a "Catch 22."))

New coordinated care models, like accountable care organizations (ACOs), are being touted as ways to eliminate unnecessary tests and procedures and improve care. While these new arrangements may reduce costs, they also may increase malpractice risks for doctors, according to Medpage Today.

These new payment models are putting pressure on doctors to undertreat patients, note authors Lee J. Johnson and Dr. Frank J. Weinstock. By doing less costly tests and procedures, doctors can be sued for failure to diagnose or treat properly.

The increased the emphasis on cost reduction and pay-for-performance initiatives is driving doctors to avoid various tests and procedures for ACO patients. But despite the financial incentives to decrease care, doctors are still liable for their patients' care, note the authors.

The malpractice risks associated with undertreatment shed light on a May survey from the American College of Emergency Physicians, which found that more than 50 percent of roughly 1,800 ER doctors said the main reason they order the number of tests they do is fear of being sued.

During a time when nationwide healthcare costs continue to rise, there are ways doctors can avoid malpractice suits and unnecessary overtreatment. For example, doctors can implement informed refusal, giving patients a real option to refuse a proposed treatment. "If the doctor is completely honest about the chances of success and the side effects/risks involved, the patient may forego the treatment of his own accord. Costs will have been cut and the physician would not have increased his liability exposure," the authors write.

For more:
- read the Medpage article

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Pennsylvania dentists may soon be required to purchase malpractice insurance

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/08/pennsylvania_dentists_may_soon.html
Published: Monday, August 01, 2011, 7:11 PM Updated: Monday, August 01, 2011, 8:13 PM
BY JOHN MANGANARO, For The Patriot-News

Most dentists in Pennsylvania carry malpractice insurance, but currently, they aren’t required to do so.

That may change in the near future.

Sen. Pat Vance, R-Cumberland County, has sponsored a bill requiring dentists to purchase malpractice insurance. The state Senate unanimously approved the bill in June, and it is now in the state House of Representatives. The Legislature is in recess for the summer.

Vance introduced the bill after hearing reports of patient abuse in Reading, Berks County, and other areas of the state. Dentists who didn’t buy insurance could lose their license under the bill.

“Most responsible and group dentists already carry this kind of insurance anyway,” Vance said. “But unfortunately, the rogue dentists we really need to have this kind of coverage, to protect the consumer, are the ones who don’t.”

Dentists would be required to purchase liability insurance of $3 million annually. That amount of malpractice coverage would cost the average Pennsylvania dentist about $2,400 annually, according to Gil Davis, CEO of Pennsylvania Dental Association Insurance Services.

That average is driven up by rates in the southeastern part of the state. The average in Delaware and Montgomery counties is about $2,700. Philadelphia’s rate is closer to $4,500.

Local dentist Dr. Michael Verber called the bill “a good example of good government.”

“I already have that amount of coverage, and most dentists in the state do as well,” Verber said. “With this measure, the government will be able to increase the quality of health care without dramatically increasing the burden on doctors or patients.”

Dr. Craig Mathias, a Harrisburg orthodontist, said new malpractice insurance requirements would be “another unnecessary expense.”

“As an orthodontist, I’ve got a different level of liability, so we do already carry an adequate amount of insurance in my office,” Mathias said. “I’ve got about half of that right now.”

Mathias said picking up the rest “wouldn’t be a nail in the coffin. More like a tack to have to sit on.”

Davis said the average malpractice claim against dentists is only about $20,000. Davis didn’t have a number of claims typically filed in a year, but said there “is not a significant number.”

Dr. Dennis Charlton, president of the Pennsylvania Dental Association and a dentist in Mercer County, said his organization supports the legislation.

“Nearly all dentists in the commonwealth already have this level of malpractice insurance and this law will bring our malpractice requirements to the same level as other professionals in the state,” Charlton said.

Ronald Ruman, press secretary for the Department of State, said the agency “supports the general concept to require dentists to carry professional liability insurance.” The state department oversees the licensing of dentists.

Ruman added that, because some details of the measure are likely to be debated and changed in the House, the department “will wait to see the final version before taking a position on the legislation in its final form.”

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((From a good friend and crusader for doctors and patients - please consider participating in this webinar if you'd like to learn more about the Sorry Works! model of reducing medical liability abuse.))

Donna,

On November 15th, I'm doing a webinar on my Sorry Works! Talk....same talk as I've given to countless hospitals, insurers, and associations, except by webinar. Cheap but very efffective way to get message out. Here is the registration link: http://www.sorryworks.net/pdf/November-2011-Flyer.pdf.

I hope your folks can join us!

Sincerely,

- Doug

Doug Wojcieszak, Founder
Sorry Works!
PO Box 531
Glen Carbon, IL 62034

Website: http://www.sorryworks.net/

June 3, 2011
Doug Wojcieszak, Founder & Spokesperson
Contact phone/e-mail address: 618-559-8168; doug@sorryworks.net

FIVE-STAR: DOCTORS SHOWING COMPASSION
A good friend sent a recent PIAA newsletter with a news article on how doctors struggle with compassion - see directly below:

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Doctors Often Struggle to Show Compassion While Dealing With Patients
Upon learning from his doctor that he had less than six months to live, Mike Venata said he wanted to reach across and slap the doctor. He said it wasn't the news that made him angry; it was the way it was delivered. The specialist had pulled out a piece of paper with his test results on it and said, "Well this isn't very good. This is terminal." He didn't talk to Mr. Venata, he talked to the piece of paper. "I have a guy sitting there reading a piece of paper telling me I am going to die and then walking out the door. That was not well executed," said Venata. To him the doctor's heartless presentation was as painful as the news. In research conducted at five medical schools, researchers studied two sets of faculty members on their skills at being compassionate as evaluated by their medical students and residents. One faculty group underwent a two- year program that combined experiential learning of skills such as role modeling along with reflective exploration of values through writing narratives and other activities. The other group had no intervention. The compassion-trained group was rated significantly more compassionate or humanist with their patients, demonstrating that compassionate can be taught. Another study of medical students showed that empathy scores declined among students at the end of the third year, when they had begun regular exposure to patients during clinical rotations-exactly when they need more empathy. In an editorial for the Washington Post, Manoj Jain, MD said, "The art of medicine is not just choosing the right medicine, but gauging the needs and providing reassurance and comfort to the patient." He said he believes that healthcare providers are genuinely compassionate and that is often what has steered them toward medicine in the first place. However, with the uncertainties in healthcare, increased workload and limited time, for many the joy in the work is lost, and this comes across in doctor-patient interactions. (Washington Post, 5/16)

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You know, only half (or less) of medicine deals with biology, chemistry, math, etc....the other half is all about relationships, emotions, communication, etc...yet medical schools have traditionally focused on the science. It's a shame, but we have a lot of great technical people who have trouble emotionally connecting with the customers! This is article is exhibit A.

In our Five-Star courses, this is what we teach --- and the docs actually eat it up! Docs know they are often lacking in this area, but many don't know how to make it happen, especially in their pressure- packed, overbooked professional lives. So, we teach them simple things that don't consume time or cost money....the importance of hello, using someone's name, sitting down and looking a person in the eye, avoiding the temptation to interrupt and actually listen, body language, and so on. It's actually a small investment that a) can provide nice dividends for referrals and reimbursements and b_) avoid big headaches and losses, including litigation. There's so many little things docs can do that mean the world to patients and families.

This compassion stuff is big part of it. Taking a few minutes to talk through a difficult situation, appropriate contact such a holding a patient's hand or gently touching a shoulder, appropriately relating ("You know I lost my own mother a year ago..."), even crying with them, etc. I know this is foreign to some docs because you're taught to heal and save lives and admitting defeat is not part of your DNA, but, we all die some day. Patients and families know this....and we also know despite your best efforts you can't fix every problem, cure every disease, etc. So, sometimes showing us you care is enough....but you have to do it! And to do it, you need to be trained.

Below is a great story of a Cincinnati hospital that developed a compassion training program after a family complained about how they were notified about their daughter's death during surgery. See below.

To learn more about Five-Star training from the Sorry Works!-Stevens & Lee Team, give us a call at 618-559-8168 or e-mail doug@sorryworks.net.

Sincerely,

- Doug

Doug Wojcieszak, Founder
Sorry Works!
PO Box 531
Glen Carbon, IL 62034

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This LIABILITY & HEALTH REFORM UPDATE is a free service which I provide, as a volunteer, to help supply medical liability and health care reform news and information, legislative updates, and political insight to physicians, patients, liability reform, and quality health care advocates. No one pays me to do this.

I am not employed by any physician or health care reform advocacy or liability reform organization, political party, or candidate, although I volunteer for several. I am an advocate for quality health care, physicians and patients, a breast cancer survivor, physician's spouse, journalist, political noisemaker, mom, and freelance writer. I am not, nor will I ever claim to be, unbiased (I am....biased, I mean), unlike many in the mainstream media.

Most information in this newsletter is copied and pasted from other sources, and will always provide a link to the original source. Opinions and clarifications are my own, and do not reflect the official position of any physician or patient advocacy organization, tort reform, or health care reform group unless stated as such. My opinions are placed in double parentheses (("my opinion")), italicized, and appear in blue.
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