AlGore-08.com's own Dylan Malone in the news

[AlGore-08.com]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/01/national/01ads.html?oref=login

4 Networks Reject Ad Opposing Bush on Lawsuits
By ROBERT PEAR

Published: February 1, 2005


WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 - An advocacy group, USAction, said on Monday that four television networks had turned down its request to run an advertisement opposing President Bush's effort to clamp down on medical malpractice lawsuits.

The group wanted to run the spots just before Mr. Bush's State of the Union address on Wednesday. But networks said the advertisement violated their standards for advertising on controversial issues.

(snip)

Mr. Bush has proposed strict limits on medical malpractice litigation, including caps on damages for pain and suffering, as part of a campaign for sweeping changes in the nation's civil justice system. In the television advertisement, Dylan Malone of Everett, Wash., says his son Ian suffered severe brain damage at birth, as a result of "medical errors," and died before his fifth birthday.

"President Bush is siding with the insurance, H.M.O. and drug companies, trying to end what they call frivolous lawsuits, while 100,000 Americans like Ian die each year because of medical errors," Mr. Malone says in the spot. "Mr. President, let's fix the health care mess, but please stop blaming the victims. My son's life was not frivolous."

In an interview, Mr. Malone said that he had received more than $1 million in a settlement with a clinic where his son was born. But, he said, much of the money was used to care for the child, who died last May.



(Folks may remember Gore discussing Ian's case during the 2000 campaign - - Ian was born with severe brain damage, and his parents' HMO refused to provide the round the clock nursing he needed to survive. Instead, they told the Malones to put Ian up for adoption so the state would pay for it. They did a 180 when Gore publicized their decision. Ian's story is here: http://www.babyian.com)