The debate on medical malpractice reform sidelined after only one person showed up for a roundtable hearing on Friday. Bill author Senator Wil Parkinson voiced his disappointment with the absent medical community, saying victims of malpractice deserve to have their right to a trial protected. 

What was supposed to be a discussion on medical malpractice reform instead a disappointment, as the senator shared, "I'm very disappointed that the medical community didn't show up today because they are clamoring for an open dialogue, a roundtable. Well here we are. Here we are."

Only one person from the public showed up to Friday’s roundtable for Senator Parkinson's Bill 82-38, known as the “Do No Harm Anti-Medical Misconduct Act.” Dededo resident Joseph Arriola came in support of the measure but withheld his testimony, saying, "I’m very, very disappointed that it’s just the four of us here. What I have to say should be heard by more people."

Senator Sabrina Salas Matanane says some physicians reached out to her saying they were not invited to the roundtable. Senator Telo Taitague asked Parkinson, "Who did you invite to this roundtable?" to which e replied, "We put out all the public notices and invited all members of the community to come."

"Oh, just through a public notice," said Taitague, with Parkinson saying, "Yeah."

Parkinson argues the public notice should have sufficed over a personal invitation, adding, "This is a hot topic in our community. It’s one of the most important topics. And you're telling me nobody in the medical community could deign to come down today without an invitation? I'm not sure I accept that reasoning, but I will make the effort again in the future. I will knock on the doctor's door and ask if they make house calls to public hearings that regard them."

Bill 82 aims to end mandatory arbitration in medical malpractice claims and replace it with a court-based system, arguing arbitration is too expensive and slows justice for victims of malpractice. 

Meanwhile, the measure has faced criticism from the medical community, who warns it will destabilize the healthcare system and cause physicians to leave the island.