(This letter was mailed to the Salt Lake Tribune in response to an editorial, but never was printed).
Until today, I thought the Trib was pretty even handed. Whoever wrote the blather of 11 June regarding Dr. Weitzel that was billed as an editorial needs a public flogging! The author doesn't understand the end-of-life issues and certainly does not understand medical competence. Dr. Weitzel was not prosecuted because of questions of his competence, he was assailed criminally by a malicious DA. Every physician on the planet, that is, the ones not on the Davis County's government payroll, understands Dr. Weitzel's care concerns. To fuel this editorial deception with half baked garbage about HMO's and hospitals failing in their mission is nothing short of raw sewage. We are a nation of laws and when hospitals or HMO's disobey the laws, they are properly prosecuted most of the time. For the Trib to generalize that there is a national cover-up is pure hokum!
The difference between what Dr. Weitzel did and what Dr. Kevorkian did is much like the difference between treating a toothache and pulling all one's teeth. If the Trib's example of reasoning is followed by the medical profession, you better pray that you never have serious pain. Any doctor that wants to treat you adequately will refuse, having viewed how the Justice system treated Dr. Weitzel. I've read a lot of editorials in my 60 years but I never was so insulted by an incompetent overview before. Shame on you! Do your mothers know you are practicing such Gestapo behavior? Let's hope not! You should openly and publicly apologize to Dr. Weitzel and the medical profession for your indiscretion!
Harvey Birsner Park City
Dr. Birsner is a prominent neurosurgeon who lectures nationally.