The Albany Times Union reports today that the budget proposed by Governor Cuomo has cut funding for the New York physician profile page. This cut, representing quite literally a drop in the bucket of the overall state budget, raises serious concerns for those of us who are in the business of protecting individuals. The page provides very helpful information for consumers, including instances of malpractice and disciplinary action against doctors. While those who support the cut claim that the information is duplicative—and that the same information may be found on, for example, WebMd.com—the site is thorough, more complete and, probably most importantly, is a government funded and run site. Leaving the reporting of misconduct, discipline and malpractice to the private sector seems to to short change the public.
Let’s hope that public interest truly prevails here, and that this consumer resource remains in place.
Representing plaintiffs in employment and serious injury matters.