Last week saw lots of news stories on the Illinois Supreme Court’s overturn of medical lawsuit reform. It’s easy to get swept up into the frenzy surrounding a decision like this, and it may be tempting to think that reform in Illinois is a dead issue. While that may be what trial lawyers want us to think, it is far from the truth. For over 150 years, Illinois physicians have banded together to speak with one voice on important issues affecting our patients and ourselves. The Illinois State Medical Society will continue to work hard to make this voice heard.

 Though we often face high-profile opposition from vested interests that profit from the status quo, our fight is not against those who oppose us; it is for our patients and the communities we share with them. In fighting for the interests of those we care for every day, we are fulfilling our oath as physicians. Together we will faithfully pursue measures that can lead to greater access to medical care for the people of Illinois, and together we will be vigilant to resist those who would undermine this goal. Even though one door has been temporarily closed, we will continue to apply our collective ingenuity to bring fairness to the courts and keep doctors in Illinois.

James L. Milam, M.D.
President
Illinois State Medical Society