This is in response to the Sun Journal editorial of March 6. It was full of “name calling,” personal “attacks,” and “trashed Sen. Nutting under the guise of thoughtful editorial writing.” Those descriptions were written by readers on the Sun Journal’s blog in response to the editorial’s posting online.

The editorial referenced a bill by Sen. John Nutting from Leeds which proposed to prohibit Maine hospitals from spending taxpayer dollars on advertisements. Daily papers such as the Sun Journal often feature full-page ads for specialists from hospitals, including the Central Maine Medical Center. The intent of Nutting’s bill was aimed at reducing the rising costs of health care.

Nutting has been a faithful and effective public servant for nearly two decades, and deserves more respect from this paper, even when it disagrees with his views from time to time.

So I would like to make a few quick points about some of the effective work Sen. Nutting has already accomplished this legislative session. Despite what the Sun Journal’s editorial staff may have readers believe, already in the committee process Nutting has passed two bills improving Maine’s mental health system, a new license plate to support animal welfare, and has worked to make our state beaches healthier and cleaner from second-hand smoke and cigarette butts.

I am the assistant Senate majority leader, serve on the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee, and I am also a medical doctor. Nutting’s hospital ad bill was referred to that committee and was ultimately defeated. Despite that fact, I take great offense to the Sun Journal’s attack on him personally. Some of the best ideas for the state emerge out of the debate on legislation such as the one Nutting proposed, and may ultimately lead us to other solutions that are important.

As a doctor, I see situations where there is tremendous waste in the health care system, and I, for one, agree in principle with Nutting that we should ask tough questions about where health care dollars go. To add to that debate, I have proposed a bill that would increase the transparency of where health care dollars go by requiring hospitals to make public certain expenses. In my view, the solution is not putting limits on how hospitals spend their money, but more important, making it known how the money is spent.

When it comes to public policy, ideas should be challenged. Name-calling and personal attacks by this paper’s editorial staff are in poor taste and move the discussion away from a thoughtful debate.

Sen. Lisa Marraché, Waterville

Assistant Senate Majority Leader