Friday, December 14, 2007

Letters to the Editor

The Business Journal of Phoenix

Don't let grandstanding fog the real issue

Dear Editor,

The Dec. 7 story regarding funding for a recent Science Foundation Arizona trip to Ireland ("Ireland trip sparks battle over research funding") portrayed an epic battle between numerous legislators over the issue.

I can assure you this is not the case. This is just another example of Sen. Jack Harper's (R-Surprise) partisan, grandstanding escapades to get media attention. Sadly, it seems to have worked.

Harper's claim that this trip doesn't "pass the smell test" is completely unfounded.

First, there was no taxpayer money spent on this trip. Not one cent. The entire trip was funded by private money raised expressly for this purpose.

Second, I'm not sure when it became a bad thing for an elected official to investigate successful programs we are trying to emulate in Arizona. We are investing heavily in SFAz and biotech in Arizona, so shouldn't we make sure we're doing it in the most prudent and effective manner possible?

We are talking about an economic development tool that will bring in hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars to Arizona in the foreseeable future. Educating ourselves about how best to run this program should be a responsibility of every legislator at the Capitol. It seems Harper would rather play partisan games than actually be a steward for Arizona's future.

Does Harper sound like a champion of the taxpayers, or just another politician playing political games with the hope of gaining media attention?

I hope we can get back to a true debate on how best to move forward with research-based economic development in Arizona. That's the real issue at hand, and it's the kind of debate Arizona voters deserve.

Arizona Rep. Chad Campbell

D-Phoenix

Medical malpractice laws need revision

Dear Editor,

If you've taken a trip to the emergency room lately, you may have noticed something in short supply: doctors.

Because of Arizona's harsh malpractice laws, it is difficult to recruit emergency room doctors and specialists.

A recent report from the American College of Emergency Physicians gave Arizona an overall grade of D-plus for its "lack of support of an emergency care system to meet the needs of its residents."

The state earned its lowest mark, a D-minus, in the category of "medical liability environment."

Last year, Arizona Sen. Carolyn Allen, R-Dist. 8, introduced a bill that could raise these grades. It's likely she will introduce it again this year. And this time, let's hope it takes. The bill would raise the standard of proof required for an individual to sue for malpractice. The standard would require "clear and convincing" evidence of negligence, rather than merely showing it had more likely than not occurred.

Dr. Todd Taylor, vice president of public affairs for the Arizona College of Emergency Physicians, sized up the situation well, saying, "It's important for Arizonans to understand that the medical liability crisis in the state is impacting their access to high-quality emergency care and contributing to overcrowded emergency departments.

"Unless legislators act soon to resolve the liability crisis, we will have even fewer on-call specialists, and quality of care will drop from just average to failing."

Glenn Hamer

President and CEO

Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry