Malpractice bill was bad, even if a Republican says so

Letter to the Editor; Catonsville Times; 2/9/05

I want to thank Del. DeBoy for promoting my resume ("Letter writers should report their partisan memberships," Feb. 2).

Yes, I am an elected member of the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee and vice president of the Patapsco Valley Republican Club. I am also chairman of the Committee for Voter Registration and a member of the Finance Committee for the Baltimore Republican Central Committee. I worked as district coordinator for E.J. Pipkin's Senate campaign and was involved in the congressional campaigns for Tony Salazar and Bob Duckworth.

So, what does my partisanship have to do with my opposition to legislation that increases insurance cost for many in Maryland? I wasn't a fan of the governor's bill either. What is needed is more comprehensive tort reform to have a lasting impact on medical malpractice.

I'm glad Del. DeBoy admits the malpractice bill was not a good law, but he still voted for it. What about all the good tort reform that Speaker Busch and Del. DeBoy speak of. Why was it allowed to be removed?

With this legislation we, as citizens of Maryland, get two things: lawyers that do not have to worry about correcting an obvious imbalance in the tort system and doctors who will become addicted to the state subsidizing their insurance.

Delegate, you question my honesty about identifying myself as being a Republican Party official. You write, "I continue to be independent and take each issue on its merits, evaluating the quality to determine effects on people." But it took you about 15 minutes to change your committee vote on the $1.2 billion Busch tax increase in the 2004 session. Your vote change allowed the bill to move forward instead of dying in committee, as the slots bill did the last two years.

As the father of four daughters, I do not believe this legislation will allow my girls access to quality prenatal care and a professional OB/GYN. How many new OB/GYNs will this bill cause to come to Maryland? How many medical students will take up the practice of an OP/GYN because of this bill?

Albert Nalley

Baltimore County Republican Committee

Authority: Citizens for Albert Nalley - Dave Amann, Treasurer