Doctors urgently need tort reform

To the editor:

This letter was sent to state Sen. Peter Kinder.

House Bill 1304 has passed on to the Senate for consideration. As you know, this is tort-reform legislation. It was given overwhelming approval from the House, and I hope it will receive approval from your chamber as well.

I am a practicing physician in Cape Girardeau. My professional liability over the past several years has doubled and doubled again despite no litigation regarding myself. It has virtually reached the point where if liability premiums double one more time, I will be forced to drop obstetrical practice, as I suppose 90 percent of all physicians practicing obstetrics in Missouri will do. That would be a tremendous shame. The American Medical Association has declared Missouri a state in crisis regarding medical liability. You have the ability to change these things with the support of this measure.

Thank you for hearing me out. Please weigh the situation carefully and support the side of decency and restraint for the citizens of Missouri and particularly for the practicing physicians in your state.

DR. SCOT G. PRINGLE

Cape Girardeau