THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 21, 1996 TAG: 9609200014
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 22 lines
Kerry Dougherty's column (Sept. 7) implies that the citizens of the Eastern Shore are not receiving medical care because they cannot afford the $20 bridge-tunnel toll. This is a gross misstatement for several reasons.
Chief among these is that there are almost 50 dedicated physicians practicing medicine on the Eastern Shore in a wide variety of specialties. Ninety percent of the medical care an Eastern Shore citizen needs can be obtained here at home. We also have made arrangements for physicians from Hampton Roads to come to the Eastern Shore to provide specialty care in certain areas.
My point is that patients don't have to go to Norfolk or Salisbury for their care. Those who choose to do so should pay the toll just like the rest of us do when we go off the Eastern Shore to conduct personal business.
JAMES L. McDANIEL, M.D.
Nassawadox, Sept. 13, 1996 by CNB