Most people are unaware that our broken medical liability legal system has set in motion forces that are affecting the future supply of quality physicians and particularly the number of those choosing obstetrics as their specialty.

There has been a steady but significant decline in the number and quality of applicants to medical schools. Today the best and the brightest seek entrance to law schools that have seen a dramatic rise in applications. What is wrong with this picture?

This year Long Island's teaching hospitals could not fill their entire roster for OB/GYN residents! This is a very telling and worrisome sign about the future of women's health care services.

And there is no question in the minds of OB/GYNs and other doctors that the fear of lawsuits has made the practice of medicine increasingly risky and unappealing.

It is long past time to fix New York State's broken medical liability laws. Do yourself and your children a favor and call Assembly members Tom DiNapoli at 482-6966 and David Sidikman at 822-5590 and urge them to take action now to correct this problem before it is too late.

Edward Hill, MD