Blunt planning visit to Kennett today

KENNETT, Mo. -- Missouri Secretary of State Matt Blunt will tour Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center in Kennett today and meet with area physicians to hear firsthand about the damage to people's health care that is being inflicted by the state's medical liability crisis. As a candidate for governor, Blunt has emphasized the urgent need to reform the Missouri court system to rescue care for patients, particularly in non-metropolitan areas.

In July 2003, the American Medical Association determined that Missouri is in the midst of a "full-blown medical liability crisis." As a result of numerous lawsuits in recent years, many physicians have left Missouri, limited their practice, or have retired from practicing.

Blunt, who is seeking the GOP nomination candidate for Missouri governor, has pledged as governor to work with the legislature to solve the medical liability crisis and preservepeople's access to high quality, affordable health care.