Ad Campaigns Target Jeffords, Leahy on Jury Awards
Burlington Free Press (VT)
April 23, 2003


Linda McDougal of Woodville, Wis., the subject of a television ad that began Tuesday, has a message for Sen. James Jeffords, I-Vt.: Do not set limits on medical malpractice suits.

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McDougal describes how she was told by her doctors in 2002 that she had breast cancer. She decided to have an emergency double mastectomy, only to learn after the operation that it was all a laboratory mix-up: She didn't have cancer after all.

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The U.S. House passed a bill in March authorizing a $250,000 cap. The matter is stalled in the U.S. Senate, which harbors more skepticism about the sudden increase in insurance rates.

"The increase is due to investment losses in the insurance industry," said Joanne Doroshow, executive director of Americans for Insurance Reform, one of the organizations paying for the McDougal ad. "Corporate America is on a mission to get immunity from lawsuits."

Jeffords' name is never mentioned in the TV ad campaign, but Doroshow said the ads are running in Vermont because Jeffords is one senator who's undecided on whether to limit what a malpractice victim can win in court.

"Jeffords has not been clear on where he stands," Doroshow said. "We want him to know the citizens of your state are watching and are aware of this issue."

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