Submitted to Chicago Sun Times

Terry Savage put her finger on one of Illinois medicine’s big concerns (The Savage Truth, Mar. 24) when she asked if there will be enough doctors and sufficient access to medical care here to address the expected future surge of patient needs. 

This is a serious question with an unpleasant answer.  If we couple looming physician shortages with the impact of the recent decision to overturn Illinois’ medical lawsuit reform, we are left with a potential nightmare for patients seeking care.

The University of Illinois trains more medical students each year than any other school in the nation and we have seven other well respected medical and osteopathic schools. Because of this commitment to medical education, one would think Illinois is adequately prepared to meet our future health care workforce needs.  Sadly, though, the majority of newly trained residents choose to practice in other states after completing their training.  That’s right: Illinois is a net exporter of new doctors, because given the choice of staying here or moving to friendlier locations, more young doctors choose option B.  Why do we continue to foster conditions that drive away talent and allow other states to reap the dividends from our educational investments?

There is still hope for Illinois. Our lawmakers can restore sensible reforms that bring balance to Illinois courts. Without such reforms, however, Illinois will continue to lose out in the competition for our best home-state medical talent.

Sincerely,

James L. Milam, MD
President
Illinois State Medical Society