Ask Congress to Protect Patients, Not Insurance Company Profits

Your help is urgently needed to prevent Congress from stripping away the rights of victims of medical negligence. Legislation capping damages in medical negligence cases is scheduled to come before the United States Senate in early May during a so-called “Health Week.” The White House and some members of Congress want to establish limits on the rights of victims in order to protect powerful special interests and corporations intent on protecting their bottom line – no matter the consequence. Tell Congress to protect patients who have been injured by true medical negligence. No in Washington State – No in Washington DC Last November, voters in Washington said NO to caps on damages when they soundly defeated Initiative 330 – 57 percent to 43 percent. These arbitrary caps, which Congress is seeking to impose with this measure, apply to all cases of medical negligence, regardless of how bad the negligence or how serious the injury. Caps are unfair to stay-at-home mothers, seniors and children, who often have little or no economic loss. Because they receive no compensation for lost wages, they rely on non-economic damages to support themselves. Those who can least afford it will be affected the most. Tell Congress to oppose caps in medical negligence cases. Don’t Let the Insurance Industry Take Away Your Rights Powerful insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industry will stop at nothing to increase their bottom line, even at the expense of your rights. Why do they want caps? Because insurance companies receive higher premiums in states with caps, but they pay out less in damages – a great combination if you are an insurance industry executive, but a bad deal for doctors and patients. These special interests have devised one of the most vicious attacks on victims in years – while continuing to raise rates and making record profits. If you became the victim of medical negligence, through no fault of your own, this legislation would drastically limit the fair compensation you could recover even if you are unable to work or support your family. Urge Congress to protect a victim’s right to hold wrongdoers responsible for their actions. Taking a Stand for Patients People Over Profits is another grass roots organization committed to fighting back against the well-organized and well-funded assault on the civil justice system. They work to protect Americans’ civil rights, and the right to a trial by jury – and they are working to help stop this potentially harmful federal legislation. In addition to contacting your Congressional representatives, please take part in the following: 1) Download a Protect Victims of Medical Malpractice Petition here. The petition alerts Congress to the damage Medical Malpractice “Reform” will cause victims of medical negligence. 2) Sign the petition and ask your family and friends sign it too. 3) Return it by April 28, 2006, to: People Over Profits 1050 31st Street NW Washington, DC 20007 People Over Profits will make sure your petition is delivered to Congress. Remember, Washington state voters defeated an effort to limit the rights of victims. Now, we need to send the same message to Congress and the White House. Tell your congressional representatives to protect injured patients. Sign, share and send in the People Over Profits petition. Tell a friend about our important work. Sincerely, Dylan Malone, Chair Washington Network for Civil Justice and Accountability

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