“No patient should have to face the trauma of being abused by a doctor, nurse or other health-care provider. My heart aches for the victims of this very personal violation. When health-care providers cross sexual boundaries, the Department of Health wants to know about it right away so we can investigate and take action. The Seattle Times series on this topic (’License to Harm’ page one, April 23-25) has been sad and disturbing. There are nearly 300,000 health-care providers in our state. Most are very professional and provide quality care for their patients. Unfortunately, there are some who use their license as a cover for heinous acts. I am appalled by it — personally and professionally. Sexual contact between a health-care provider and a patient is absolutely not acceptable.” (04/28/06)