Letters to the Editors

Let's cap medical lawsuit awards

© St. Petersburg Times
published February 14, 2003

Re: Seniors recruited in war on insurance, Jan. 31.

I provide this as a testimonial of the effect that medical malpractice awards have had on rising liability insurance costs, and their effect on seniors. I sent this to Speaker (Johnnie) Byrd at the Florida Legislature.

I have undertaken the welfare of my 87-year-old mother, who resides in an assisted-living facility. To ensure that she does not become a ward of the state, I attempt to manage her meager assets to maximize her opportunity to live her final years in dignity.

The facility in which she resides has, over the past two years, raised fees more than three times the rate of inflation. When I asked why, the reply was "the increasing cost of liability insurance."

I provide this as a testimonial to the issue the president is currently raising to the nation, and ask that you take this issue up with the Legislature to cap malpractice awards in an attempt to lower the cost of this insurance, and the concomitant costs passed on to the consumer.
-- Chuck Hoskinson, Valrico

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