Democrats' malpractice bill caves in to trial lawyers

Letter to the Editor; Catonsville Times; 1/19/05

Correct me if I am wrong, but I was under the impression that constituents elected legislators to represent them. This concept has fallen to the wayside in the Maryland General Assembly, where this week Del. Steven DeBoy scoffed at his constituents in favor of his liberal Democratic leader, Michael Busch.

Gov. Ehrlich called a special session a couple of weeks ago after reaching an agreement with the legislature to enact smart medical malpractice reform without raising taxes.

Instead of honoring their agreement, our liberal Democratic leaders succumbed to trial lawyers - one of whom is senate president, Democrat Mike Miller himself - and they weakened the reform by adding a $423 million HMO tax on more than one million Marylanders.

Ehrlich originally promoted this bill to help the doctors and patients; by adding this tax to the bill, the legislators hurt those people who have difficulties already paying their insurance premiums.

Passing medical malpractice reform should not have been an issue. Yet, ignoring the views of their constituents, Steven DeBoy, and other legislators made it one bogged down with taxes.

Such blatant disregard for their constituency, and for doctors and patients, is outrageous. Steven DeBoy and his buddies better bet we won't forget their vote against the taxpayer.

Albert Nalley

Catonsville

Authority: Citizens for Albert Nalley - Dave Amann, Treasurer