Consumers in Malpractice Fray

Your article, “Doctors, Lawyers Vie Over Cap on Malpractice Awards” (Feb. 1) unfortunately made a grave error in not considering consumers as major players in the fight over the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA).

Contrary to your article, the MICRA issue is not just a fight between special interests. As an example, 30,000 supporters of Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) are opposed to any change in the provisions of MICRA. These are real people, homeowners, employers and health care consumers all, who will certainly face higher costs for doctor visits, prescriptions and medical coverage if MICRA is changed.

Voter apathy is only exacerbated when the media portray important legislative issues like MICRA as nothing more than a tug of war by special interests. Consumers are the ones that will ultimately lose.

ROBIN G. LOSSING

Executive Director

Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse