Statement
By Kenneth J. Printen, M.D.
President, Illinois State Medical Society
May 13, 2004
There have not been formal negotiations on the medical litigation crisis with all interested parties for about six weeks. If discussions are being held, we have not been asked to attend them.
Many legislators -- seeing the lack of progress on the medical litigation crisis – have taken the initiative and have introduced amendments calling for significant reforms of the legal system. Senator Denny Jacobs (D-Moline), for one, introduced amendments to HB 4847 that will limit frivolous lawsuits, enhance physician discipline and retain access to health care at free clinics and emergency rooms.
We are pleased to see such a bipartisan effort toward improving access to healthcare for our patients across the state. Recently, 17 House Democrats signed onto HB 7299, which contains the same reforms proposed in Amendment 1 of SB 2354, which is sponsored by Democratic Senators James Clayborne, Larry Walsh, William Haine, Gary Forby, Denny Jacobs and Susan Garrett. ISMS strongly supports both of these bills.
Action is needed now to stem the loss of health care services in our state. We look forward to continued discussions on needed legal reforms for the sake of our patients.
Dr. Printen is a board-certified general surgeon practicing in Evanston, IL.