In a letter in today’s Los Angeles Times, a physician responds to consumer activist Jamie Court’s Sunday commentary, “Sued A Physician, Did You? The Doctor Won’t See You Now,” by stating, “Add Court to the list of patients I will not treat.”

Court’s commentary chastised the American Medical Association for a proposed resolution stating it was ethical for doctors to refuse treatment to plaintiffs attorneys and their spouses.

“Exercising your constitutional right to go to court should not be a bar to medical care or choosing a doctor,” wrote Court, who is author of Corporateering (Tarcher/Penguin), out in paperback this week, and president of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. “Nor should being a lawyer who represents injured patients.”

Court suggested patients take certain steps to prevent the what he calls “mad doctors disease.” These include bringing physicians back to earth by calling your doctor by his or her first name, not waiting more than one half hour for a doctor’s appointment, and reminding physicians that they sue too.

Read the Los Angeles Time commentary at:
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/ftcr/co/co004363.php3

Read/listen to Court’s “Marketplace” radio commentary on mad doctors disease:
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/ftcr/co/co004232.php3