http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_3409119diane carman
Insurers are no match for those in grief
By Diane Carman
Denver Post Staff Columnist


It's been 18 months since Michael Skolnik died in what his parents
are convinced was an egregious case of medical malpractice. A lot of
people think that's time enough for Patty and David Skolnik to move
on.
They're wrong.
"It's one of the difficult things I had with my job," said Patty,
formerly vice president of a national child-care corporation. "I'd
hear my co-workers say, 'Isn't she over it yet?' But people don't
understand grief. If they did, they'd know you never get over it."
In the agonizing grief process, the Skolniks are just getting
started. And if they have their way, a lot of things will change by
the time they achieve the final stage: acceptance.
Patty and David have quit their jobs and have founded an
organization to address the nightmare they faced when Michael was
diagnosed - possibly erroneously - with a cyst in his brain. He was
22 when he died.
Colorado Citizens for Accountability is a nonprofit, nonpartisan
organization dedicated to informing the public about medical
malpractice and the impact of so-called tort reform.
So far, CCA has about 125 members. Many are victims of medical
malpractice. Others are medical professionals who have seen
firsthand the problems in the legal system.
"For people who have been injured, it's so emotional, it sucks the
life out of you," Patty said. "We thought if we worked together, we
could get something done."
CCA is mobilizing patients' rights groups locally and nationwide to
take on the powerful insurance lobby. The industry has the money,
she said, but the victims' stories have the power to change public
opinion.
If only they can be heard.
Gag orders in court malpractice settlements deny the public
information about doctors, Patty said, noting that it's easier to
get the performance records for truck drivers than for brain
surgeons.
Only after Michael was injured did the Skolniks learn that the
doctor who operated on him had malpractice lawsuits pending in other
states. Last August he moved to Nebraska. The Skolniks' wrongful-
death suit against him is pending.
Patty said disinformation campaigns by politicians and the insurance
industry also have distorted the facts about malpractice
settlements.
Many people think court settlements are soaring and are


diane carman
Insurers are no match for those in grief
By Diane Carman
Denver Post Staff Columnist


It's been 18 months since Michael Skolnik died in what his parents
are convinced was an egregious case of medical malpractice. A lot of
people think that's time enough for Patty and David Skolnik to move
on.
They're wrong.
"It's one of the difficult things I had with my job," said Patty,
formerly vice president of a national child-care corporation. "I'd
hear my co-workers say, 'Isn't she over it yet?' But people don't
understand grief. If they did, they'd know you never get over it."
In the agonizing grief process, the Skolniks are just getting
started. And if they have their way, a lot of things will change by
the time they achieve the final stage: acceptance.
Patty and David have quit their jobs and have founded an
organization to address the nightmare they faced when Michael was
diagnosed - possibly erroneously - with a cyst in his brain. He was
22 when he died.
Colorado Citizens for Accountability is a nonprofit, nonpartisan
organization dedicated to informing the public about medical
malpractice and the impact of so-called tort reform.
So far, CCA has about 125 members. Many are victims of medical
malpractice. Others are medical professionals who have seen
firsthand the problems in the legal system.
"For people who have been injured, it's so emotional, it sucks the
life out of you," Patty said. "We thought if we worked together, we
could get something done."
CCA is mobilizing patients' rights groups locally and nationwide to
take on the powerful insurance lobby. The industry has the money,
she said, but the victims' stories have the power to change public
opinion.
If only they can be heard.
Gag orders in court malpractice settlements deny the public
information about doctors, Patty said, noting that it's easier to
get the performance records for truck drivers than for brain
surgeons.
Only after Michael was injured did the Skolniks learn that the
doctor who operated on him had malpractice lawsuits pending in other
states. Last August he moved to Nebraska. The Skolniks' wrongful-
death suit against him is pending.
Patty said disinformation campaigns by politicians and the insurance
industry also have distorted the facts about malpractice
settlements.
Many people think court settlements are soaring and are


responsible for the rapidly increasing cost of health care. But she
cited research showing that claims payments have remained stable for
the past five years while malpractice premiums have more than
doubled.
"The insurance companies are gouging doctors and showing record
profits," she said. "People need to know the facts."
CCA members plan to testify in public hearings and be citizen
lobbyists on legislation that will affect the public's access to the
courts.
"I assure you we won't sit by in silence and watch well-organized
and well-funded assaults on the civil justice system by companies
with money and power," Patty said.
They also support legislation that will help keep people from having
to resort to filing lawsuits to get help.
CCA has endorsed a proposal to require automobile insurers in
Colorado to make minimal medical coverage available on all car
insurance policies. Customers would have to sign a waiver to decline
the $5,000 in coverage or it would be included in their policy
automatically.
"It's a small step. It would cost policyholders very little," Patty
said. "We think it's very reasonable, especially in a state where
more than 15 percent of the people lack health insurance."
While CCA is a tiny, fledgling organization, it has enormous
potential, Patty said.
Sure, the insurance lobbyists may speak for the rich, but their
power shrinks in the face of an army of grief-stricken families
seeking to give some meaning to their endless, incalculable loss.
"They have the nerve to call our actions 'frivolous,"' Patty said.
They have no idea.
Diane Carman's column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. She can
be reached at 303-820-1489 or dcarman@....