James calls for forums on health care

Greenville businessman and gubernatorial candidate Tim James said Wednesday he wants public forums on Alabama health care.
James, a Republican and the son of former Gov. Fob James, said the initiative is part of his Common Sense Solutions campaign.
He said the effects of lawsuit abuse in medical malpractice insurance rates has hurt "rural Alabama communities where physicians have been hardpressed to sustain their medical practices."
"Politicians in Washington are preoccupied with nationalizing health care while failing to address basic problems that have left many areas of our state with a shortage of health care professionals," James said. "Malpractice insurance premiums have increased dramatically here in Alabama and across the nation, while politicians have turned a blind eye."
He said the issue should discussed at forums about health care along with the "growing cost of Medicaid, small business and health insurance affordability, and health care savings accounts."
James will host the health care forums throughout the state this fall.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen