Letters to the Editor

The physicians of the Will County Medical Association believe you should take an active, leading role in your health care. Maximizing your health and well-being depends on informed choices through education: expanding your knowledge, asking questions and evaluating your options. In the physician-patient relationship, we counsel patients, share clinical options and possible outcomes. The well-educated patient, ultimately, balances this information with his or her personal situation to make the best decisions.

This advice also applies to evaluating public policy choices that will affect your health, financial obligations and relationship with your physician. We ask community members to contact their congressional and senatorial representatives and learn their stands.

Ask your representatives if they have fully read and understand the current health care reform proposal. Ask them how the details will affect your situation. Ask how this proposal will affect malpractice reform. Ask these legislators if they will participate in any of the plans for which they plan to vote, and if not, why?

Health care reform will affect everyone and will change the way you receive medical care. Compared to other health care decisions, we encourage you to gather facts, compare them to your priorities and values and then make an informed decision with confidence.

Dr. Ramesh Viswanathan

Dr. Michael Cohen

Dr. Christy Hiser

Dr. Katherine Spangenberg

Dr. Steven Cataldo

Will County Medical Associates Board of Directors

Joliet's police chief should explain why he hasn't ordered his police officers to ticket parking lawbreakers and why police do not ticket those violating Ordinance 12680, obstructing handicapped spaces, which became law on March 7, 2000. It reads, "It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly obstruct any parking space reserved for persons with disabilities with a shopping cart or any object, provided the space is identified as a reserved parking space as required by Ordinance 12680 for the purpose of this section the term 'parking space' shall also indicate adjacent areas that are striped, painted, marked or otherwise designated as being for uses of the reserved parking space. Persons in violation of this ordinance shall be fined $100 for each offense."

By not enforcing this ordinance, you are showing disrespect for the handicapped. This violation occurs hundreds of times all over our city. Don't disrespect those who are less fortunate. Show them you care and do your job. Enforce the law on this important matter.

Norman Legner

Joliet