FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 19, 1999

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kelley Elwood, 312/580-6497

Illinois' Patient Rights Act Becomes Law;
State Medical Society Launches
Educational Campaign

MAYWOOD – Essential rights were extended to Illinois’ managed care patients today when Governor George Ryan signed the "Managed Care Reform and Patients Rights Act" into law. The signing ceremony was held at Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood.

Patients will learn the specifics of this new law and how it will affect their health care through an educational campaign sponsored by the Illinois State Medical Society.

"This new law empowers the patient-physician relationship. By banning communication restraints and adding additional quality of care measures, such as easier access to specialists and emergency care, the legislature has made a statement that patients’ needs are the priority, not the insurance company’s bottom line," said ISMS President, Clair M. Callan, M.D.

Dr. Callan donned a pin that read, "Patients First" which, along with a poster for display in doctors’ offices, is part of the educational campaign aimed at patients. A sample of the poster was exhibited at the bill signing.

"The doctors of the Illinois State Medical Society fought for four years to gain these rights for our patients," said Dr. Callan. "We are deeply grateful to Governor Ryan, Sen. Thomas Walsh (R-LaGrange Park), Rep. Frank Mautino (D-Spring Valley), Rep. Jeffrey Schoenberg (D-Evanston) and Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago) for their leadership in making this law a reality."

ISMS is a professional membership organization representing 16,000 physicians, practicing in all specialties statewide.

ISMS permits and encourages reproduction of ISMS news releases with the request that ISMS is credited as the source of the information.s