Too often, patients and families with a serious complaint about an incompetent or unethical medical doctor will write their concerns to the state licensing board and then see their case drop into a black hole. But now, thanks to the work of one crusading family, the state of Washington has a new law to make its board more responsive.

Consumers shuld hope that more of these disciplinary bodies around the country sign on for the basic changes in board conduct now required by the state of Washington. For instance, the new law requires the board to give families a report of the final disposition of any complaint, with reasons for the board's action.