To the Editor:
Re “Obama Advances His Case; Health Bill’s Cost Challenged” (front page, June 16):
In his speech to the American Medical Association on Monday, President Obama declined to address unrestrained and out-of-control malpractice awards, which are a root cause of the high cost of medical care. Because of unrestricted potential liability, many physicians, caught in the squeeze between rising malpractice insurance premiums and declining reimbursements, will eventually be forced out of practice.
All Americans may soon have medical insurance under Mr. Obama’s plan, but there will be fewer physicians left to provide service. Without access to care, of what use is universal coverage?
Eric Flisser
New York, June 16, 2009
The writer is a medical doctor.
