Keep doctors in Nevada

Keep our doctor's in Nevada ... that's what Nevadan's voted to do in 2004. We turned out in large numbers (60 percent in favor) and voted to change the way the legal system approaches medical and dental law suits. We passed a ballot initiative, KODIN, that limited lawyer's fees, that prevented assigning 100 percent of damages to a person who was only 5 percent involved in the incident, that let jurors know what other payments the injured individual had received. They voted to change the way damages are paid to allow periodic payment, a change that guarantees long term income for the injured individual; they voted to place a cap on pain and suffering of $350,000 but no limit on economic damages.

Since passing KODIN we have seen a significant influx of physicians to our state. We have improved access to health care in Nevada and in addition we have saved the state an estimated $381,000,000 annually.

Assemblyman Bernie Anderson has just introduced Assembly Bill 495, a bill that would undo every aspect of the ballot initiative we Nevadans voted for in 2004. This is an example of special interests, trial lawyers, writing our laws. If it passes, the main beneficiary will be the trial lawyers who stand to make more money. We're in a difficult time financially as a state. Health care is expensive, in short supply and increasingly publicly funded. Why at a time when policy makers are trying to expand access to health care and bring down health care costs would they even be considering a bill that subverts those goals?

We live in a state where lawyers outnumber doctors two to one. The people of Nevada voted to change the legal system. This change has improved access to health care in Nevada. With 2.74 million Nevadans seeking quality of life, the choice is clear; our legislator's need to vote no on Assembly Bill 495. Please tell your legislator to vote no on AB 495. (775) 684-6800 or on the Web www.leg.state.nv.us/75th2009/

opinions/poll/

Sandra Koch M.D.

Minden