DMLR: N.C. Senate Candidate Sides with Attorneys on Ending Medical Lawsuit Abuse

Doctors for Medical Liability Reform (DMLR), a coalition of more than 230,000 specialty physicians working to ending medical lawsuit abuse, said Erskine Bowles, Democratic candidate for John Edwards’ open U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina, has refused to sign the group’s pledge supporting common sense reforms.

According to DMLR, because of liability crisis, doctors are leaving North Carolina and Bowles’ position ignores this crisis. Bowles’ Republican challenger, Congressman Richard Burr, has reportedly signed the DMLR pledge supporting national medical liability reform to ensure that patients have timely access to the medical care they need.

“Many people – doctors included – have been confused by statements
Mr. Bowles has made that seem to imply he supports medical liability reform,” Dr. Craig VanDerVeer, a neurosurgeon in Charlotte, said. “In fact, Mr. Bowles is clearly on the side of personal-injury attorneys who can’t stand the thought of limiting non-economic damages in medical liability cases because of personal greed and their chance for another runaway jury award. Ultimately, it is patients who lose access to the specialty care, facilities and insurance
that should be available to all North Carolinians,” he added.

VanDerVeer appears in the 30-minute “Protect Patients Now”
newsmagazine that DMLR is airing on both network and cable television stations in every media market across North Carolina.

In the newsmagazine, real doctors and patients give viewers an in-depth look at the access-to-healthcare crisis affecting the Tar Heel State.

DMLR is strongly urgeing Bowles to support common sense reforms, sign the DMLR pledge to protect patients now, and, if elected, vote for fair reforms in the Senate.