DMLR: N.C. Patients, Doctors Win with Burr Election

Doctors for Medical Liability Reform (DMLR) said North Carolina patients and physicians will see another supporter of national medical liability reform in the U.S. Senate come January 2005.

On Tuesday, North Carolina voters elected U.S. Representative Richard Burr to the U.S. Senate. During his campaign Rep. Burr affirmed his support of national medical liability reform by signing DMLR’s pledge, while his opponent, Erskine Bowles, declined.

The victory reportedly offers hope for North Carolina citizens concerned with the healthcare crisis that is gripping the state, driving doctors out of business, out of their practices and forcing physicians to curtail high risk procedures, such as obstetrics. Ultimately, Burr’s election reportedly solidifies hope for passage of national medical liability reform.

“Since our North Carolina launch in early February of this year, Doctors for Medical Liability Reform has been spreading the word on national medical liability reform. Our efforts through airing of the newsmagazine, coverage in the media, meeting with the healthcare community and with citizens has been a solid, ongoing dialogue,” Winn Maddrey, DMLR spokesman said.

“Yesterday’s vote demonstrates that this issue is on voters’ minds and
that our efforts to educate North Carolina’s citizens about the crisis in
healthcare yielded results. In January, North Carolina will have a voice in the US Senate that is focused on medical liability reform.”

As of 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 3, according to the North
Carolina State Board of Elections, the results were Richard Burr with 52% of the vote (1,680,234 votes) and Erskine Bowles with 47% of the vote (1,523,014 votes). While these results are still unofficial, Burr is the declared winner.