Statement by
Kenneth Printen, M.D.
President, Illinois State Medical Society
June 22, 2004
Re: IDPR numbers

Once again, Victims and Families United is twisting numbers to fit the desperate arguments of their employer -- the plaintiff’s bar – who wants Illinois patients to believe there is no crisis. I doubt that this new assertion brings any comfort to pregnant women or trauma patients across the state who cannot find needed medical care.

The number of medical licenses and the number of practicing doctors will never match. Doctors who have Illinois licenses are not required to practice medicine in Illinois; they can hold a license for a myriad of reasons. Perhaps the doctors that are heading to friendlier practice environments are holding out hope that someday Illinois will pass true litigation reforms and they can again practice medicine in this state.

Evidence put forth by the OBGYN Crisis Coalition and the Illinois Neurological Society clearly shows that the availability of high-risk procedures is becoming a luxury in many parts of the state. As a “consumer group,” Victims and Families United should pay more attention to their alleged constituents and seek a resolution to the access to care problems in this state.

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