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The CALA Watchdog
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CITIZENS AGAINST LAWSUIT ABUSE LAUNCHES “Sick of Lawsuits” CAMPAIGN
Campaign highlights healthcare crisis caused by litigation - Kicks off with a billboard tour.
SAN DIEGO -- Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse groups throughout California have united to launch a new statewide campaign highlighting how lawsuit abuse and the fear of litigation have impacted the way healthcare is delivered in America.
The campaign, "Sick of Lawsuits," will educate consumers and members of the media on how healthcare litigation is raising the costs for prescription drugs, health coverage and doctor visits, while also jeopardizing access to medical products and treatments.
“Litigation is major threat to our access to and quality of care," stated Andy Kotner, President of San Diego County Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA). "Healthcare litigation not only forces all forms of healthcare costs to rise, including health premiums, drugs and medical devices, but also dampens research and development of future treatments and medical devices. This campaign is about protecting our access to care and medical advances, and ensuring that medical decisions stay in the hands of doctors, not personal injury lawyers.”
The Sick of Lawsuits campaign includes a new website, www.sickoflawsuits.org, where visitors can get the facts about the impact of lawsuits on healthcare, such as:
The campaign will also feature a mobile billboard truck that will appear at events throughout California starting March 7, 2005. The truck will be joined by CALA representatives throughout California, health professionals and those who have been impacted by healthcare lawsuits.
Take the case of Titus Simonini. Titus has hydrocephalus, and must have a silicon brain shunt to survive. But because of junk science lawsuits against silicon manufacturers, fewer companies are willing to manufacture the shunts that keep him alive. Titus' mother, Belinda, fears that the next time he needs an emergency replacement, the shunt will not be available — despite the fact that the life-saving technology exists.
“Lawsuit abuse threatens to make us all sick,” said Sick of Lawsuits Chairman, David Priver, M.D.. “Whether it’s denying access to new drugs or live-saving devices, or adding Americans to the roles of the uninsured, lawsuits are putting our healthcare system in critical condition.”
The Sick of Lawsuits campaign will be traveling throughout California March 7-16. The Sick of Lawsuits Tour started Monday, March 7, 2005, in Los Angeles County visiting various media outlets spreading the word about how lawsuits are making us sick. Today, Tuesday March 8, 2005, the mobile billboard will visit the campaign headquarters of all of the candidates for Los Angeles Mayor. On Thursday, March 10, 2005 the Sick of Lawsuits billboard will be at the Orange County fairgrounds for the OC Largest mixer sponsored by 25 of Chambers of Commerce.
The Sick of Lawsuit Bill Board Tour will start in San Diego on Friday, March 11, 2005 with a city wide media tour. Then on Saturday, March 12, 2005 from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the KOBE Swap Meet in San Diego located at 3500 Sports Arena Boulevard. Andy Kotner of San Diego County CALA will host a press conference at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 12th at the entrance of the Kobey Swap Meet in front of the 30 foot SICK OF LAWSUITS Billboard, and she will be joined by Dr. David Priver, Chairman of the Sick of Lawsuits Campaign and past president of the San Diego County Medical Society, other speakers will include George Coles, President of Coles Carpets and Sick of Lawsuit victims.
San Diego County Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) is a non-profit, educational, grassroots organization composed of small business and professional people, consumers and others dedicated to the reform of our civil justice system. If you would like to be added or deleted from this list, or to request a CALA action kit, please reply to: Andy Kotner, San Diego County CALA, 1761 Hotel Circle South, #120, San Diego, CA 92120 (619) 295-6059.
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