By Ron Wolfe

Readers continue to respond to my columns on the Medical Malpractice Insurance Crisis. Let's hear from readers who took the time to write.

Sun City Center resident Frank Kepley writes: "This letter is written in response to D.E. (my March 20 column), who described an experience he underwent when his father was admitted to the E.R. at a Hillsborough County hospital with what ultimately turned out to be a diagnosis of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). His concerns regarding the timely diagnosis of his father's diabetic coma are understandable. We have all experienced what we believe to be less than satisfactory care at some point in our lives. However, we have all experienced excellent, high quality and in some cases, life saving care as well. No one writes letters to the editor about these positive experiences."

"In my opinion, the malpractice crisis, in particular the out of control frivolous lawsuits, have created a situation where all of the good doctors, as well as the bad are going to disappear from Florida. The CBS Sunday night program "60 Minutes", recently presented a telling segment on the inability of high-risk specialties to continue to exist. At some point, if tort reform is not passed, we will no longer have to worry about receiving bad care. We will all have to worry about receiving any care at all."

The caps on non-economic, punitive damages may not eliminate the very small percentage of bad doctors, but it will allow the very large percentage of good doctors to continue practicing. If all the "bad" doctors were eliminated today, there would still be frivolous lawsuits. Not every medical outcome is what we hope for and an untoward outcome, whether or not there is any substandard care involved, is money in the bank for trial lawyers. Often this places more money in their bank account than the patients they serve."

Tort reform has or will pass in the Florida House. However, the Senate is another matter. Remember, there are far more lawyers in the Senate than the House. Therefore, the prospect for caps is unlikely. Our worry will be one of finding a doctor, any doctor, to take care of you and your family! Thanks for bringing this important matter to the attention of your readers."

Sun City Center resident Glenn Sweeting writes: "Your columns on the Medical Malpractice Insurance Crisis prompts me to offer the following suggestions:

1. We need to pass a law placing a reasonable cap on all awards for medical malpractice.

2. All lawsuits must go to skilled arbitrators before going to trial and insurance companies should be encouraged to accept their recommendations.

3. Once these laws are in place, all insurance companies doing business in Florida, who refuse to sell this insurance, should be prohibited from selling insurance of any kind in the State of Florida.

"I commend you for bringing this important matter to the attention of your readers and hope these suggestions are helpful as we all search for the answers to this very complex issue."

Response to writers: "Thanks for writing and sharing with me and other readers your thoughts and views on this issue. Yes indeed, it is a very complex and intertwined issue and it is a challenge to all to find the answer to this critical citizen need. One thing is certain ­ this problem will not go away and cannot be ignored."

Once again, my columns on the Medical Malpractice Insurance Crisis continue to draw a substantial response from readers. Because of your interest in this topic, I plan to continue sharing this input with you. If you have something to add to those who have written, please send it along so I may consider publishing it in a future column. Remember ­ while I write this column on a variety of subjects, I want to hear from you. So, keep those cards and letters coming to allow me to continue to publish from the mailbag.

Send letters to: THE VOICE of SouthShore, P.O. Box 476, Ruskin, FL 33575-0476. Or, e-mail: arjaywolfe@earthlink.net. Or, phone: 813-273-8976.