Your July 10 editorial, Aggravated condition, reflects the unfortunate position of a minority of Republican senators who find themselves at odds with the majority of the voters who elected them. While I respect their right to their opinion, I urge compromise to bring about meaningful reform.
Our state needs a comprehensive medical liability reform package that will ensure the availability of emergency and high-risk care, both of which are now in peril; that will ensure our state's obstetric units remain open; and, most important, will ensure that Floridians across the state have unfettered access to their doctors. The people in our state have watched their doctors leave and their health care options diminish. They demand reform, and their patience is wearing thin with lawmakers who refuse to move forward toward real resolution. Most Floridians, 85 percent, are aware of the medical crisis, and 73 percent say they're very concerned about it. Even more telling, 75 percent support caps as low as $250,000 and 70 percent consider it "very important" that we get meaningful reform passed this session to address the crisis.
The House passed a good bill that will provide the relief Floridians demand. Contrary to popular belief, this bill does not include everything I'd like to see in a comprehensive medical malpractice reform package. But it does incorporate the key elements recommended by the academic task force that studied the issue, and includes a more generous global cap of $1-million in noneconomic damages in deference to the Senate's position on this sticking point. It also incorporates other compromises with the Senate's position that move us closer to an acceptable solution without eroding our ability to protect Floridians with real reform.
It's a good bill, passed in the best interests of our citizens, and I would like nothing better than to sign it as soon as possible so we can move forward toward a stable health care environment.
It has indeed gotten rough here in Tallahassee. But it's not as rough as losing your family doctor, waiting months to have a mammogram, or losing access to key medical specialists in your area. Floridians understand that. The Florida Senate must do so as well, and I believe they will.
-- Jeb Bush, governor, Tallahassee
How much are the lawyers getting?
Re: Malpractice.
Articles on the opinion pages have said much about "the greedy insurance companies" and the fact that the doctors just want to reduce their malpractice insurance costs. Almost completely missing are references to the financial interests of the lawyers. Mention is made that they are interested in making sure that the injured are justly compensated. I have just received the current telephone Yellow Pages for Clearwater, which contain the following claimant attorney advertisements:
A half-page glossy color flier was stuck to the front cover. There were two smaller ones below it. Inside the cover was another full-page glossy and there were at least 25 additional full-page advertisements, many in color. These were in addition to the many smaller entries in the attorney section.
It would be interesting for someone to publish what the total awards for malpractice in Florida are for some year and, of that amount, just how much went to the injured and how much was paid to law firms. That is important information for all who want to be fair in considering this debate.
-- John E. Russell, Clearwater
The senators draw a line
Re: Bush's rebuke incenses senators, July 9.
Perhaps by not caving in to the demands of Gov. Jeb Bush regarding malpractice caps, the Republican senators are saying: Enough. We will not ask the citizens of Florida to underwrite insurance premiums for doctors by giving up their legal rights of recovery for malfeasance.
-- Michael Harris, Oldsmar
Governor's remarks are demeaning
As a registered Republican, and as a trial lawyer, I am extremely concerned by Gov. Jeb Bush's recent tirade against trial lawyers.
The governor's recent e-mail to 22,000 selected voters was nothing more than a missive defaming the legal profession, by insinuating that all trial lawyers are greedy, unscrupulous and underhanded. Even members of the Florida Senate rebuked the governor's "vendetta" against trial lawyers and "his personal hatred of trial lawyers."
As a trial lawyer, I am licensed by the state of Florida to represent clients before the courts of this state. Obviously, I deem my profession to be a respected and needed vocation, and as a trial lawyer I should not be subject to demeaning remarks by the governor of this state.
I would invite Gov. Bush and any member of his staff to visit my office and choose any one of our clients to call and ask that client if he or she believes we are providing a valuable service. Perhaps the governor needs to hear the answer.
Gov. Bush's disdain for trial lawyers is not only misguided, but truly derogates our system of legal justice and equality.
-- Kennedy Legler III, Esq., Bradenton
Camera phones could keep track of kids
Much has been written and said about the case of Rilya Wilson, the missing foster child not seen in more than two years and whose case involved falsified inspection reports filed by child protection workers. Heads have rolled, resignations and reorganizations proliferated, and we now face budget cuts and local volunteering as a solution. To me, this is an amazing quality of the human political mind to degenerate into bureaucratic thinking.
In my opinion, the problem is lack of true leadership and creativity. I have become a big fan of the "Sprint Man" with black overcoat and common sense solutions in current advertisements. Does it seem strange we can send a picture of a car for sale or stack of pancakes all over the world, but we can't send a photo of a child back to the headquarters of the Department of Children and Families? If we had a photo with a date, we all would know a child and the DCF worker are there.
In short, this would involve implementing currently available technology for the common good. Simply put, take a cell phone with camera to the child's house, and send the picture. It asks a lot for any state or volunteer worker to enter a potentially dangerous area without a lifeline. I would like to see a priority set on action items, using current technology available, with meetings and paperwork done also but taking a back seat to "finding the child."
-- Charlie Chapman, Hudson
Unraveling a mystery
Re: Bush is a worthy recipient, letter, July 8.
I'm glad the letter writer explained why some people vote Republican. I've been trying to figure that out for years.
-- Paul Lupone, Spring Hill
Service and security in Europe
Re: Airport security.
Last month I flew from Munich, Germany, to Atlanta and observed this episode at Munich Airport Security. The man behind me had a Swiss Army pocket knife in his carry-on luggage. The security guard pointed out to him that under new security regulations he is not allowed to carry his pocketknife onto the flight. So far this is no different than in the United States.
Then the security guard gave him three choices:
1. For 3 Euros the guards would keep the knife for 30 days for him to pick up upon his return.
2. For 8 Euros they would send it via regular mail to his home.
3. He can ask them to discard it.
I have lost at least three little Swiss Army knives and a Cornell corkscrew (a souvenir from my daughter's graduation) at roughly $25 a piece. Why is it so difficult for our airport security screeners to be a little more customer-oriented and offer options?
Oooops, I forgot the classic oxymoron: We're from the government and we're here to help you!
-- A poignant story well placed
Re: A message from Roger, July 10.
Kudos to Lane DeGregory for this article. I can't recall ever reading a story as poignant. I had to stop reading several times to clear my eyes. Obviously, she had a good story to work with, but the way she told it was what made the story so special. The personal perspective added by including herself and her researcher as a part of the story was a great touch. I've read other fine, award-winning stories in your paper that, to me, pale in comparison. For Ms. DeGregory's sake, I hope that's a portent of things to come.
Credit should also go to your editors for placing the story on the front page, giving it the recognition the story deserved and ensuring that the greatest number of Times readers had the opportunity to see it. The story may not have been "news" but it was definitely in the right place.
Thanks for making my day.
-- Jim McGee, Treasure Island
What a wonderful lesson
Re: A message from Roger.
Thank you to Lane DeGregory for bringing us this beautiful, touching story. My best friend read it, and she wouldn't tell me what it was about. All she said was, "You have to read it. I won't do it justice."
She was right. My eyes welled up with tears several times reading. What a wonderful lesson about faith, hope and being kind to one another. Please thank both families for sharing Roger's life with us. Let them know he will continue to touch lives as we all tell this amazing story to our family and friends. What a legacy for this young man to leave behind.
-- Lisa Montagna, Clearwater
Must reading brought tears
Re: A message from Roger.
What a marvelous story. I was in tears. My daughter's teacher told me I had to read this. Everyone is reading it. You've written a very poignant article.
-- Amber L. McKnight, St. Petersburg
A moving tale
I read the newspapers (Times and Tribune) daily, but I can't remember a story moving me so emotionally. Thank you for sharing this story.
Don Smith could have simply thrown the bottle away instead of making the effort to find its owner - the story would not have been so rewarding. Also, how interesting that the bottle was discovered while Roger Clay's mother was here in Florida. You told the story with great flair and compassion.
-- Brenda S. Geoghagan, Tampa
Such heartwarming news
What a beautiful story. I have been thinking that the departed reach out to us in many ways. When I read a story like this (by the way, it was beautifully written) it confirms my feelings about this subject.
It does my heart good to read such heartwarming news. My husband and I just recently stopped reading the Times because of all the violence on the front page. We are quite frankly sick and tired of "yellow journalism."
I log on to the Times Web site, thankfully, to get a quick recap of the local news every day. What a good feeling to read your story. Keep them coming. Maybe we will resubscribe.
-- Mrs. Larry Brungardt, St. Petersburg
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