The legislative battle over tort reform heated up officially as Gig Harbor resident Matt Rice, a retired U.S. Army colonel and a practicing emergency room physician, announced that he will challenge Democrat Pat Lantz for the 26th District House of Representatives seat in the state Legislature. Rice, 55, is a Republican making his first run for public office.

Lantz, who along with her husband are both attornies, chairs the House Judiciary Committee. She has steadfastly refused to allow the tort reform issue to come to the House floor for debate two years in a row. Trial lawyers, the major financial beneficiaries of the current tort situation, have supported Lantz’s position, and are expected to donate heavily to her campaign.

Meanwhile, the medical, insurance and general business communities have all opposed Lantz’s stand, citing the high costs not only to business, but to consumers, as well as the decline in the quality of medical care as many qualified doctors are leaving the state because they either can’t afford, or simply can’t get, malpractice insurance.

“A stronger economy, to make sure good jobs are available for us today and for our kids tomorrow, is the key to protecting and preserving the quality of life we have all worked so hard to achieve for our families,” said Rice. “As a small-business owner I believe I have the real-world experience needed to help get that job done in Olympia.”

In addition to serving as chief medical officer and business manager of Northwest Emergency Physicians, Rice is an award-wining educator on the UW faculty. He is a past member of the Washington State Governor’s Council on EMS and Trauma Systems.

“With my life’s work in medicine, I also have a strong desire to ensure that every family has medical care access and availability, as well as the right to select the doctors of their choice,” he said.

“The best chance we have to improve our schools, including higher education, and to build better highways that serve our needs for reliable, safe transportation is to create a business-friendly environment in state government,” said Rice. “When employers are allowed to grow and add jobs, they generate the dollars needed to fund the programs we all need and want.”

During his Army career, Rice was Chairman of the Madigan Army Medical Center’s Department of Emergency Medicine for 10 years. He has worked with a number of community organizations, including the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross, while volunteering with many local fire and emergency medical services groups.

The 26th Legislative District includes parts of Kitsap and Pierce counties, running from Long Branch to Gig Harbor to Port Orchard and part of Bremerton.

Rice’s campaign can be reached at (253) 851-2065 or mrmrmd@aol.com.