Don’t limit ability to hold doctors accountable

Admitting mistakes is hard, so they don't always tell you about them. It happened to me. I will have negative consequences for the rest of my life. The doctor who made the mistake had no consequences. The doctor who “fixed” the mistake, to the best of his ability, protected the first surgeon and blocked my ability to sue. This March 6 guest column in The Gazette will inform you about the current situation in Iowa with medical malpractice reform:

http://thegazette.com/2013/03/06/patients-deserve-efficient-process/

I will quote a small part that particularly resonates with me: “The system already favors medical providers. We shouldn't make it more difficult for the patients they harm to seek accountability.”

I urge all of the legislators to oppose these bills, HSB36 and SSB1054.

Lynn Gallagher

Solon