Overlawyered letters

I followed with interest the stories (Mar. 9, Mar. 11) about the now-defunct database tracking patients who've filed malpractice suits. The idea is that doctors could buy access to the database and choose to decline patients with a litigious history. Although the plaintiffs' bar was naturally up in arms about this, and many others were critical as well, I think it's a great idea. My late father was once sued by a patient who claimed she would have forgone radiation treatment for breast cancer if she knew how unpleasant the treatment would be. Of course the case went nowhere, but it was very painful for my father who cared only about his patients. I don't think he would have ever turned away a cancer patient, though, even a nutty one who liked to sue doctors. -- Doug Levene, Wilton, Conn.