To the Editor:

In a recent letter to the editor (July 20), Congressman Randy Hultgren stated, “Ways to drive down health care prices include: Reform lawsuit abuse. When frivolous lawsuits are filed against doctors and hospitals, defensive medicine costs skyrocket.”

The congressman is spreading the medical malpractice myth: Plaintiffs are “frivolously” suing doctors left and right; it’s those greedy lawyers egging them on; and juries are abusing the system by awarding huge sums of cash to the plaintiffs. Because of this, doctors make decisions not to ensure the health of the patient, but as a safeguard against possible malpractice liability.